3rd Test Live: India eye early wickets vs Australia on Day 2

Both Australia openers and Indian cricketers are out in the middle to start the proceedings on the second day of the third Test. Only 13.2 overs were bowled on the opening day.

The forecast is for good weather and we should get most if not all of the 98.4 overs scheduled for the day.

It was a frustrating morning of waiting in Brisbane as heavy downpour allowed very little cricket on the opening day of the third India-Australia Test in Brisbane. Only 13.2 overs were bowled and the fans got their umbrellas out, put the raincoats on but held on to their beer and enjoyed their Saturday morning, even if it was without any cricket.

With the players rushing indoors, the gentleman on the live grill was aggressively dishing out the sausages to the thousands who had come for a big fat party!

Amid all this, former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden's daughter was casually strolling in the corridor with very little cricket a dampener for her too. The 22-year-old, however, was still up for a chat on cricket and touched upon her love for India, the food and the spices.

India captain Rohit Sharma had no hesitation to bowl first in the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, with clouds hanging over the stadium and an expectedly juicy Gabba pitch waiting for the fast bowlers to exploit it. But there was no help evident in the air and very little off the track, which was confirmed by Jasprit Bumrah.

While delivering the fifth over of the match, India's bowling spearhead and vice-captain Bumrah's words were caught on the stump microphone as he said: "Nahin ho raha swing aise bhi; kahin bhi kar lo (the ball is not swinging no matter where you bowl)."

The rivalry between Zaheer Khan and Matthew Hayden was one of the most captivating battles between a fast bowler and a dominant opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in 2000s.

It showcased the contrast between Zaheer's crafty bowling skills and Hayden's imposing batting style. Their encounters were marked by fierce competition, psychological games, and memorable performances.

Hayden was known for his aggressive batting and often took the attack to the bowlers, including Zaheer.

During the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it has been a tradition of sorts for legends from both India and Australia to bring the trophy to the ground before the start of the Test.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden expressed surprise at Rohit Sharma's bold decision to bowl first on the opening day of the Gabba Test since the surface was more suited for batting.

The Indian skipper's unexpected move caught many off guard, including Hayden, who remarked, that the pitch conditions in Brisbane were friendly to the batters and expects it to break after the first couple of days, and then it can trouble the batting unit.

“I was really surprised that actually, Rohit won the toss and decided to bowl, because I felt like it was over-prepared. I thought it was because of the weather. There were almost 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks. And so we've got this showery pattern and it's been that way for a month and a bit,” Hayden said on Star Sports.

Australian pace great Glenn McGrath on Saturday commented on Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first at the Gabba. The former Australian pacer expressed lack of surprise at the Indian captain's choice.

“I’m not surprised that Rohit Sharma won the toss and bowled. He doesn’t want to get out there and bat.”

McGrath while speaking on ABC radio further elaborated on the potential repercussions of the decision, especially concerning public perception. He highlighted the difference in how the media portrays a failed batting versus a failed bowling strategy.

“The thing is if you bowl first and it goes pear shaped that looks really bad in the media whereas if you bat first and it goes poorly it is 'gutsy decision to bat first'”

Former India opener Aakash Chopra hopes that the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy is not the last Test series for India stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma asserted that no one knows what's been going in the minds of the two veterans in recent times.

Rohit, 37, hasn't had a great year in Tests for India and so does Kohli, who did score a hundred in Perth but averages a lowly 26.64 in 9 matches in 2024.

Chopra feels that the future of Kohli and Rohit will depend a lot on how they perform in the ongoing series Down Under and where India stands in the WTC Final race after the tour.

When asked to choose between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Australian batters have delivered a unanimous verdict on who is tougher to face.

While both spinners are known for their unique skills, Ashwin's mastery of variations and ability to exploit even the slightest turn makes him the more formidable opponent in the eyes of the Aussies.

They highlighted his knack for setting up dismissals with tactical brilliance and his adaptability across conditions. Though Jadeja's accuracy and all-round capabilities are respected, Ashwin’s intelligence and ability to dominate with spin earned him the edge in this fascinating debate.

When only 80 deliveries are bowled in a day, the focus naturally shifts from the playing field to the stands. That is where the real party was happening at The Gabba on Saturday (December 14) as thousands - a mix of Australians and Indians - were eagerly waiting for the players to return after the first rain break. The light shower, early in the morning session, didn't even force Rohit Sharma to go to the dressing room and the Indian skipper was happy to pace along the boundary ropes and then wait in the dugout area.

The spectators, meanwhile, started first of their many beer runs and ensured to carry the munchies along. They were clearly set for a long haul. It was a Saturday morning and many had come in large groups with their families and friends. But it was one gentleman towards the left of the Champions Room who caught everyone's attention.

With day one washed out, India’s bowlers will need to regroup and strike early on the second day to gain an advantage.

The five-Test series is finely poised at 1-1, and both teams will be desperate to take the lead in Brisbane.

For India, the key lies in utilizing the conditions effectively and breaking through Australia’s top order quickly. A strong performance on day two could set the tone for the remainder of the match, as both teams aim to secure a decisive result in this tightly contested series.

Despite facing criticism over his poor batting form, Rohit Sharma remained optimistic ahead of the match. Explaining his decision to bowl first, he pointed to the green-tinged pitch and overcast conditions, hoping to exploit them early.

Speaking before the game, Rohit described the mood in the Indian dressing room as "absolutely buzzing," emphasizing the team’s eagerness to deliver a strong performance. Rohit’s leadership and decision-making will be under the microscope as he continues to bat at number six, aiming to turn the tide in both his personal form and India’s fortunes.

Both teams made notable changes to their lineups for the third Test.

India brought in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to replace Ravichandran Ashwin and handed a spot to pacer Akash Deep, who replaced the struggling Harshit Rana. Australia, meanwhile, welcomed back Josh Hazlewood in place of Scott Boland after his recovery from a side injury.

With the series tied at 1-1, these changes reflect the teams’ strategic adjustments. For Rohit Sharma, whose form and captaincy remain under scrutiny, the decisions underscore India’s determination to seize control in this pivotal match.

The green-tinged Gabba pitch initially appeared to favour the bowlers, but it provided little assistance as the ball did not move significantly.

Jasprit Bumrah delivered a probing spell and managed to repeatedly beat Usman Khawaja's bat, but the other Indian pacers failed to capitalize. Instead, they bowled too short, allowing Khawaja to capitalize with confident pull shots off Mohammed Siraj.

The spongy nature of the pitch further reduced the impact of India’s bowling attack, adding to their woes on a rain-affected day. With no wickets in hand, India faces a challenging day two to make an impact.

The Gabba saw a day of interrupted play and frustration as rain continued to dominate proceedings.

An initial 30-minute delay during the sixth over was just the start, with another bout of rain forcing an early lunch and eventually ending play for the day.

Despite a crowd of 30,145 fans turning up to support the action, the weather cut short their hopes of an exciting day of cricket. The green-tinged pitch, which had promised to test the Australian batsmen, remained underutilized, leaving both teams with much to prove when play resumes.

India’s bowlers endured a frustrating day as rain played spoilsport during the opening day of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane.

After India’s captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field, hopes were high for early breakthroughs. However, only 13.2 overs were bowled before persistent rain forced play to be abandoned.

Australia reached 28 for no loss, with Usman Khawaja on 19 and Nathan McSweeney on 4. The Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, struggled to find their rhythm due to multiple interruptions, leaving fans disappointed and eager for action on day two.