India finished a rain-interrupted day at 51 for 4, trailing Australia by 394 runs in the third Test at the Gabba. Only 33.1 overs were possible on a day featuring eight stoppages due to rain. Australia earlier extended their first-innings total to 445, before their fast bowlers tore through India’s top order in the limited play that followed.
Australia’s lower order added 40 runs to their overnight 405 for 7, with Alex Carey impressing. He reached his half-century with elegant strokes, including a six off Akash Deep, before falling for 70. Jasprit Bumrah claimed six wickets, including Pat Cummins, marking his 50th Test wicket in Australia. Akash Deep finally struck after inducing numerous false shots, dismissing Carey to end the innings.
India’s reply began poorly. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell in the first over, flicking Mitchell Starc to Mitchell Marsh at square leg. Starc struck again, inducing Shubman Gill into a loose drive that Marsh intercepted with a diving catch at gully. Hazlewood then removed Virat Kohli, who edged a wide delivery behind after an uncertain drive. Rain interrupted play again immediately after Kohli’s dismissal.
Pat Cummins added further trouble for India, dismissing Rishabh Pant with a perfect delivery that drew an uncertain defensive push. Australia exploited the Gabba surface well, benefiting from seam movement and extra bounce, something India’s bowlers had struggled to achieve.
KL Rahul provided the only resistance, batting with control and intent to remain unbeaten on 33. He judged deliveries outside the fourth stump expertly and drove confidently. At stumps, captain Rohit Sharma remained on zero, with India’s first task being to reach 246 and avoid the follow-on. Rain remains in the forecast for the final two days, giving Australia a race against time to push for victory.
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