Rain disrupts third Test between Australia and India

The opening day of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane saw limited play due to rain, with only 13.2 overs completed. No further play occurred after lunch at the Gabba, leaving Australia at 28-0 and India yet to bat. Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney brought the team to 28-0. The sole significant event at the Gabba was an lbw appeal by Akash Deep against McSweeney. The five-match series currently stands level at 1-1, following Australia’s 10-wicket victory in Adelaide last week. For this match, India implemented two changes from their second Test lineup: seamer Deep replaced Harshit Rana, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja came in for fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The entirety of the day’s play occurred in two separate spells during the morning session, after India had won the toss. Play was officially abandoned approximately an hour prior to the scheduled close of day. For the rest of the match, play is set to commence at the earlier time of 09:50 (23:50 GMT), with 98 overs scheduled daily, despite forecasts indicating further rain. To secure a spot in June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s, India needs to win a minimum of two of the remaining three Tests. Defending champions Australia will qualify for the final by winning two of the remaining Tests.