Australia Holds Strong Lead Against India Amidst Rain-Affected Third Day

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Third Test, Brisbane (day three of five) Australia 445: Head 152, Smith 101, Carey 70; Bumrah 6-76 India 51-4: Starc 2-25 Australia lead by 394 runs Scorecard Australia’s pace bowlers maintained their dominant position in the third Test against India, despite much of the third day’s play in Brisbane being significantly curtailed by rain. The home side extended their overnight score of 405-7 by 40 runs, reaching a total of 445, with Alex Carey contributing 70 before being the last batsman dismissed. This scoring occurred either side of a rain delay. India’s reply was then postponed by further rain, after which they quickly lost three wickets to be 22-3. Yashasvi Jaiswal struck Mitchell Starc for a boundary off the first ball of the innings but was caught at mid-wicket on the very next delivery. Shubman Gill was subsequently caught spectacularly at gully by Mitchell Marsh, before Virat Kohli edged Josh Hazlewood behind. The rain returned as Rishabh Pant walked out to bat, leading to the cancellation of most of the afternoon and evening sessions due to persistent precipitation, a waterlogged outfield, and poor light. Play was restricted to four short periods, lasting 11, 23, seven, and 17 balls respectively. Pant was dismissed during the third of these intervals, edging Pat Cummins behind, before KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma guided India to 51-4 by stumps. While 98 overs are scheduled to be bowled on each of the remaining days, achieving a decisive result may be challenging with more rain anticipated. The five-match series is currently tied at 1-1, following Australia’s 10-wicket victory in Adelaide last week. India must secure wins in at least two of the final three Tests to guarantee their place in June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Defending champions Australia will qualify for the final if they win two of the remaining Tests.