The opening day of the highly anticipated third Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane was called off due to persistent rain. After Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first, only a brief 13.2 overs were bowled before weather disruptions brought the action to a halt.
Australia, looking to stage a comeback in the series, took to the field cautiously. The openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney were at the crease when rain came to intervene when the scoreboard had reached 28/0. Khawaja was seen to be more aggressive, going by a few crisp shots he played. In contrast, McSweeney seemed a bit more circumspect.
The weather at the Gabba was unpredictable, at one-time drizzle and then a heavy downpour. The rain delays compelled players to leave the field numerous times. However, it did not deter India’s bowling attack from showing potential. Jasprit Bumrah, as always, looked sharp with the ball, and Mohammed Siraj and debutant Akash Deep created pressure on the Australian batsmen.
For the Indian team, two changes in their lineup were made for this game. Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep came in for R. Ashwin and Harshit Rana. The decision to bowl first was taken, influenced by the overcast conditions, as captain Rohit Sharma wanted to make full use of any movement present in the air.
The rain did not only stop the play but also frustrated the fans, as they were left hoping that the play would resume. After an early lunch, the rain returned, and the umpires officially called off play for the day at 4:14 local time.
With Day 1 being a washout, India and Australia will look forward to better weather on Day 2. Play will begin 30 minutes earlier, at 9:50 a.m. local time (5:20 a.m. IST), with forecasts still predicting some rain over the coming days.
Match Summary
- Australia: 28/0 (13.2 overs)
- Usman Khawaja: 19 (47 balls, 3×4)
- Nathan McSweeney: 4 (33 balls)
- India Bowling: Bumrah (6-3-8-0), Siraj (4-2-13-0), Akash Deep (3.2-2-2-0)
As both teams prepare for an action-packed second day, hopes are high for a thrilling contest once the rain clears.