Extremely fickle weather and indomitable Australian consistency were both on view on a Monday dedicated to umbrellas, frequent intermissions and warm cups of coffee. The third Test’s tipping point is surely headed the host’s way here at the Gabba.
At a rain-induced close on the third day, trailing Australia’s first innings score of 445, India replied with 51 for four. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series level at 1-1, Australia would fancy its chances of moving ahead even if the weather is expected to be whimsical over the next two days. Meanwhile, the visitor has to deal with the current deficit of 394 runs.
Rohit Sharma’s men had to cope with a damp start as it rained briefly. Once the skies cleared, there was more agony lying in store as Yashasvi Jaiswal, after edging a four through slips, picked the fielder at short mid-wicket while redirecting a Mitchell Starc delivery.
The pavilion-bound rush had commenced, and Shubman Gill, itchy hands outside the off-stump, found Mitchell Marsh pluck an airborne stunner in the close-in cordon. Starc had caused another breach, and in this series, the left-arm seamer has been India’s clear and present danger.
Much was expected from Virat Kohli as he had the pedigree, and once upon a time, he could walk on water especially if he was Down Under. To add to the lore, he had a hundred in the first Test at Perth. The veteran, though, awkwardly fended at a short ball from Starc and smiled wryly.
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Against Josh Hazlewood, Kohli thrust his front foot out and chased a delivery that should have been ideally left. The ball thudded into Alex Carey’s gloves, and India was struggling at 22 for three. Rishabh Pant walked in, the rain returned, and the players rushed to the warm confines of the dressing room, and an early lunch was taken.
On resumption, Pant, going against his second-nature and trying to be obdurate, edged Pat Cummins. At 44 for four, India was in a shambles while hope rested on the cover-drives that K.L. Rahul essayed. Through multiple rain-breaks, the opener stood firm with Rohit for company.
Earlier in a morning caught between the sun and the odd drizzle, Australia dismissed the speculations about an overnight declaration and resumed at the overnight 405 for seven. The intent was clear: grind the visitors into the dust and score psychological brownie points.
Starc used the long-handle to good effect, hoisting a six off Ravindra Jadeja and clouting a four off Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian spearhead had his vengeance soon, and as Starc edged and left, Carey was still at his merry best, dancing down and slamming a six off Akash Deep.
However, the tail wilted soon, and it was fair that Akash, who bowled without any luck through this Test, finally prised out Carey (70). By then, the host added 40 runs while losing the last three wickets, and India was left staring at a mountain too steep to climb.