IND vs AUS 3rd Test Live: Rain threat looms as India aim to wrap up Aus early

Five minutes delayed start today due to early morning light rain.

India players are out in the middle now. And Australian batters are coming too.

On the second day of the third Test against India at The Gabba, Australian batters Steve Smith and Travis Head forged a significant 241-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Head, contributing a dynamic 152 from 160 deliveries, was the primary aggressor, marking his ninth Test century and his second in a row against India in this series, following a 140 in the Adelaide Test's first innings.

Meanwhile, Smith, who had been experiencing a lean patch, broke an 18-month century drought, scoring his 33rd Test century and moving past Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh in the process.

Smith lauded Head's performance, highlighting the ease with which his partner scored and facilitated the rapid accumulation of runs.

The second day of the third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba unfolded in favour of the hosts as they asserted dominance with both bat and strategy, leaving India under immense pressure.

On Sunday, the Aussies tormented India bowlers from all directions, Australia closed at an imposing 405/7 at stumps, consolidating their hold after rain had halted much of the action on Day 1.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss was a calculated gamble by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. On paper, bowling first appeared reasonable, considering the overcast conditions and the tendency of Gabba pitches to offer early assistance.

Steve Smith reached a remarkable milestone in the third Test against India at The Gabba, Brisbane. He became the batter with the most Test centuries against India, equalling Joe Root’s record of ten centuries.

Smith also became the sixth-highest run-scorer in Australian Test cricket history, surpassing Mark Waugh’s total runs.

Smith’s impressive return to form saw him score a century (101 runs) off 190 balls, including ten boundaries.

This was Smith’s first century in 25 innings, marking his longest stretch without a three-figure score. His previous longest gap was 22 innings, spanning from his debut to his maiden Test century.

India pacer Akash Deep, despite not taking wickets on the second day of the Brisbane Test, received commendation from Australian batter Steve Smith for his impressive bowling performance.

Smith, who notched his 33rd Test century, formed a substantial 241-run partnership with Travis Head (152), helping Australia establish dominance. They successfully navigated challenging spells from Jasprit Bumrah (5/72) and Akash Deep.

"I thought Akash bowled really nicely, particularly that first spell. He was getting the ball to move with pretty significant movement. He bowled a really good length. He's a nice bowler. It was the first time I've actually faced him. He has got some skill there for sure," Smith remarked during the post-day press meet at Gabba.

Former England cricketer Isa Guha embroiled herself in a big controversy after making a racially insensitive remark about Jasprit Bumrah during commentary on Day 2 of the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia at the Gabba.

In the opening half hour of play on Day 2, Bumrah dismissed Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, leaving former Australia pacer Brett Lee impressed as he shared his thoughts on the session while commentating for Fox Cricket.

"Bumrah, today: five overs, 2-4. So, that's the tone, and that's what you want from the ex-skipper," Lee said.

In response to Lee's praise, Guha sparked controversy with an eyebrow-raising remark, referring to Bumrah as a "primate."

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel acknowledged on Sunday that their bowlers struggled to implement strategies against Australian batter Travis Head's century. He emphasised the need for improvement, particularly during the crucial period between overs 50 and 80 with the older ball.

Head and Steve Smith's partnership proved devastating as they accumulated 171 runs in 31 overs during the final session of day two at the Brisbane Test, following a wicketless afternoon session.

The Australian team finished strongly at 405 for seven.

When Travis Head made the walk to the middle, he was oozing confidence. And why wouldn't he be? He was fresh from a hundred in the pink-ball Test and was batting with a very high degree of domination. The hosts' innings was delicately placed at 75/3 in 33.2 overs and Head joined Steve Smith who was looking very itchy.

Getting Head at the other end was just what Smith would have wanted at that stage because the game was soon going to enter the passage of play where India have struggled this series.

With the oldish Kookaburra, the visitors have not only found it difficult to make any inroads but also struggled to contain the flow of runs. And Rohit Sharma & Co. now had to deal with their 'nemesis', who was in terrific touch.

With rain expected over the next three days, India's chances of securing a win have dwindled.

After losing the majority of day one to rain, India's bowlers failed to capitalise on early breakthroughs on day two. Australia's strong total of 405/7 leaves India with a steep task to avoid defeat.

The visitors will need a collective batting effort to counter the Australian bowling attack and play for a draw. While Bumrah's heroics kept them in the game, inconsistent bowling and poor fielding added to India's woes. A washout or resilient batting effort might be India's only hope for survival.

Jasprit Bumrah was the lone bright spot for India's bowling attack, taking 5/72 in a spirited performance. He began the day by removing Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney in quick succession, leaving Australia wobbling at 75/3.

With the second new ball, Bumrah returned to break the Head-Smith partnership, dismissing both centurions.

His precise line and length troubled the Australians, even as his fellow bowlers struggled to find consistency. Bumrah's twelfth Test five-wicket haul was a testament to his class, but the lack of support from other bowlers, including Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj, left India in a difficult position.

Steve Smith silenced critics with a resolute 101, his first Test century in 18 months.

While his early innings were marked by struggles and missed chances, Smith's experience and determination came to the fore as he batted through challenging spells. He was repeatedly tested by Jasprit Bumrah and the Indian pacers, who targeted his stumps with precision.

However, Smith's trademark resilience allowed him to stabilize Australia's innings alongside Head. As he crossed 50, Smith began to play with greater fluidity, anchoring the innings with his 33rd Test ton. His knock was a timely reminder of his value to the Australian side.

Travis Head, coming into the game after a match-winning 140 in the second Test, continued his remarkable form with a blistering 152. He struck 18 boundaries and reached his hundred in just 115 balls, eventually racing to 150 in 157 deliveries.

Head's aggressive stroke play exposed the Indian bowlers, who often bowled short and allowed him to dominate. His innings was a mix of composure and aggression, steadily building early and attacking once set. Head's contribution was critical in shifting momentum firmly in Australia's favour, cementing his status as India's nemesis in this series.

Travis Head and Steve Smith's 241-run fourth-wicket stand powered Australia to 405/7 at the end of day two of the third Test against India in Brisbane.

Head's aggressive 152 off 157 balls and Smith's determined 101 off 190 helped the hosts recover from a shaky 75/3 earlier in the day. Their contrasting approaches perfectly complemented each other, dismantling the Indian bowling attack.

Head attacked with flair, punishing loose balls to all parts of the ground, while Smith displayed patience, growing in confidence as his innings progressed. Their efforts left India on the back foot with little room to bounce back.