3rd Test Updates: Day 1 called off at Gabba

The match will resume tomorrow, December 15, at 9:50 AM (5.20 AM IST), with a minimum of 98 overs scheduled to be bowled.

The relentless rain has wreaked havoc on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia.

India's decision to bowl first on a seemingly docile pitch has been rendered ineffective by the persistent downpour. 

With the covers firmly in place, the Indian team can only hope for a window of opportunity to exploit the conditions once the rain abates. 

The rain refuses to relent at the Gabba, forcing the players to remain in the pavilion. 

With the downpour showing no signs of easing, the umpires have decided to delay the inspection until the rain stops completely.

The rain has nearly stopped but for now, though, the situation remains bleak.

The post-lunch session has been delayed due to persistent rain, which has eased slightly but hasn't stopped. 

While the forecast predicts drier conditions after tea, the rain is still falling at the Gabba, leading to a delayed start to the second session.

The teams will take a lunch break at 12:20 PM, with hopes of more cricket to follow. 

Two rain interruptions have disrupted the day's play so far with both openers prioritise caution over aggression.

The Indian seamers, hindered by the interruptions, have struggled to find their rhythm.

While the rain has been heavy and the ground is currently covered in water, the excellent drainage system should allow for a resumption of play as soon as the rain subsides. 

The predicted afternoon thunderstorms have arrived, but the forecast for later in the day looks promising. 

Siraj replaces Bumrah and Khawaja defends the first delivery. He's beaten on the next ball, then leaves the following one. A maiden over for Siraj.

Akash Deep continues from the other end. McSweeney leaves the first two balls alone.

As the drizzle returns, the players quickly head off the field. The rain picks up in intensity, and the sky grows darker. The groundstaff swiftly bring the covers on.

Bumrah continues, and Khawaja defends the first two balls. He flicks the next delivery for a single, and McSweeney plays one towards fine leg for another single. Khawaja fails to make contact with the next ball, and a dot ball ends the over. Two runs come off it, and after 11 overs, Australia are 28-0.

Akash Deep continues the attack. McSweeney attempts to tuck one into the leg side but finds no runs. He blocks the next full delivery just outside off, getting forward to fend it off. There was no appeal. The next ball raps him on the pad, with a slightly louder appeal, but the umpire is not interested, likely due to height. 

A maiden over for Akash Deep, and after 12 overs, Australia remain 28-0.

Bumrah successfully keeps Khawaja quiet, delivering another maiden over.

Lunch is scheduled for 8:20 AM IST.

Akash Deep continues, and the first delivery is dangerously close to the stumps! McSweeney lets the next ball go. The batters manage a single each, with just two runs coming off the over. 

After 10 overs, Australia are 26-0.

Bumrah continues, and his delivery strikes McSweeney on the thigh, with a leg bye called. Khawaja defends the next ball and then plays one towards fine leg for no runs. Bumrah manages to keep Khawaja quiet. After 7 overs, Australia are 24-0.

As expected, Akash Deep replaces Siraj, making his first Test appearance of the tour.

McSweeney leaves the first delivery alone, then plays the next one towards covers for no runs. The ball dribbles towards Jaiswal at gully, who dives to deny him any runs. McSweeney covers his stumps and lets the next ball go. A maiden over for Akash Deep.

The covers are finally coming off, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd. Akash Deep is warming up on the outfield, taking a short run-up to bowl.

The players return to the middle, with Siraj set to finish the over. Two slips and a gully are in place. Khawaja defends the first ball, then hammers a chest-high short delivery from Siraj for four runs. He defends the final ball of the over. Five runs come off the over, and after 6 overs, Australia are 23-0.

Bumrah continues as Khawaja defends a few deliveries. A sharp seamer follows, forcing Khawaja to duck under it, with Pant collecting neatly behind the stumps. Khawaja defends the next two balls but flicks the final delivery down the leg side for four runs. Four runs come off the over, and after 5 overs, Australia are 18-0.

Siraj resumes, with McSweeney attempting a single, but the ball is called dead. He leaves the next delivery and then pushes one towards mid-on, calling for a quick single. Khawaja, slow to respond, manages to make it home safely despite a wayward throw from Akash Deep. 

However, the rain intensifies, prompting the umpires to call on the ground staff. The covers are brought on as play is halted.

Bumrah continues his spell. Khawaja leaves the first delivery and then faces a fuller-length ball, but Gill makes a brilliant save to prevent any runs. A push towards mid-on results in no runs. Beaten on the next delivery, Khawaja finally gets off the mark with a shot towards midwicket for two runs, earning cheers from the crowd. He leaves the final ball of the over. Just 2 runs off the third over, and Australia are 6-0.

Siraj returns to the attack, with McSweeney taking a quick single off the first ball. Khawaja leaves the next delivery and then works one towards fine leg for a couple. A magnificent pull shot follows, earning him four runs, and he adds a single to keep the scoreboard ticking. The over ends with a dot ball. Eight runs come off it, and after 4 overs, Australia are 14-0.

The pre-match ceremony begins with Matthew Hayden and Zaheer Khan presenting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The two teams then take the field and line up for the national anthems.

India form a huddle before dispersing to their positions as Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja stride to the middle. With Khawaja on strike, Jasprit Bumrah prepares to bowl the first delivery with the new ball, he has three slips and a gully for Khawaja. Batter defends the first. Off the thigh and ball will travel to the ropes for four runs, legbye called.

Khawaja leaves the next few deliveries. Just four came off the first over.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

We're going to bowl, hoping to exploit the soft pitch and overcast conditions, said Rohit Sharma.

Good morning and welcome to the converge of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia.

Rohit Sharmas elegance and Virat Kohlis class will be put to the ultimate 'Test' as India take on an Australian side determined to make a statement on a fiery Gabba track on Saturday.

With the series evenly poised at 1-1, the Brisbane clash could prove decisive, shaping the outcome of the series and determining whether Rohit's men remain in control of their destiny in the ongoing World Test Championship.

For India, the greatest hope lies in exposing Australia's batting vulnerabilities, which could lead to a collapse unless Travis Head steps up with one of his counterattacking masterclasses. Steve Smith, struggling with inconsistent form, finds himself in a predicament similar to Kohli.

On the bowling front, India boasts the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has outshone every other bowler in the series. However, India's Achilles' heel has been dismal first-innings batting performances, both home and away, with six totals of 150 or less in the past year. Rohit and Kohlis first-innings averages in the 2024-25 season stand at a disappointing 6.88 and 10, respectively.

Australia's batting lineup, meanwhile, is equally fragile. Travis Head has been their spark, often producing impactful innings akin to Rishabh Pant's, particularly against India. Yet, Steve Smiths struggles continue as Indian bowlers have effectively tied him down with tight, straight lines. Marnus Labuschagne managed a half-century in Adelaide but has yet to rediscover his dominant form. Nathan McSweeney has shown promise, particularly in Adelaide, but still has much to prove to cement his place in the team.

One advantage for Australia has been their strategy against Bumrah. The hosts understand the importance of surviving his initial spell with the new Kookaburra. If they can do so without significant damage, they can capitalize on the relative lack of threat posed by Indias other bowlers, who pale in comparison to the Gujarat pacer.

As the teams gear up for the Gabba showdown, both sides know that this match could define their fortunes in the series and beyond.