IMAGES from Day 5 of the 3rd Test played at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
India escaped with a crucial draw in the weather-hit third Test against Australia after intermittent rain wiped out majority of play on day five, leaving the five-match series tantalisingly locked at 1-1.
Resuming the day at 252 for nine, India batted for 24 balls and were all out for 260 in their first innings.
With limited time left in the day to force a result after majority of the morning session was rained out, the Australian batters came out all guns blazing and stuttered to 89 for seven in 18 overs before making a brave declaration, giving India at least 54 overs to chase down 275.
Bad light and rain forced an early tea break soon after with India at 8 for no loss in 2.1 overs. The rain got heavier as the time passed and no play was possible thereafter.
The absorbing series is nicely poised going into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
India would have fancied chasing 275 on day five but weather helped them immensely in the game controlled by Australia.
Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) was brilliant as usual in the second innings with Mohammed Siraj (2/36) and Akash Deep (2/28) offering good support.
Australia's approach in the second essay was brave and questionable at the same time.
Nathan McSweeney (4) and Marnus Labuschagne (1) went after balls outside the off-stump and perished while Usman Khawaja (8) and Mitchell Marsh (2) fell to good deliveries.
Wickets falling in a heap did not impact Australia's approach as they kept going for the big hits. Skipper Cummins chipped in with two sixes and as many fours before the declaration.
Akash Deep, who played ahead of Harshit Rana, bowled well in the game but did not have a lot of luck, especially against Smith. He is expected to retain his place the eleven.
India have picked three different spinners in the first three Test. It remains to be seen what strategy they adopt for the Boxing Day Test.
Earlier, lightening and subsequent rain allowed only 24 balls to be bowled in the first session on day five as the third Test between India and Australia headed towards a dull draw.
The warning of severe weather was flashed on the digital scoreboard at the Gabba shortly after India were bowled out for 260 in their first innings, handing Australia a lead of 185 runs.
Akash Deep (31) was the last man out, stumped off Travis Head, bringing an end to a 47-run stand with Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out).
The duo had done well to avoid the follow-on on day four.
Players were asked to remain in the dressing room and fans were requested to take shelter away from the fence after the visitors were all out.
Heavy rain followed and no play was possible in the session thereafter.
The forecast is largely clear for Brisbane from Thursday onwards but the entire game has been adversely impacted by bad weather with rain forcing multiple stoppages for four out of five days.
Only day two of the game was not impacted by weather as Australia coasted to 405 for seven at the back of memorable hundreds from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
Irrespective of the outcome on Wednesday, India have major concerns in both batting and bowling departments which they must address going into the fourth Test beginning on December 26.
