India vs Australia Highlights, 3rd Test Day 2 Border Gavaskar Trophy: Head, Smith take Australia to 405/7 at stumps; fifer for Bumrah

FOUR! Travis Head (36*) smashes Ravindra Jadeja for a boundary to bring up fifty-run stand for the fourth wicket with Steve Smith (31*). India need to break this partnership to restrict Australia to a reasonable total.

Australia 127/3 in 48.5 overs

Spin for the very first time in the match. Rohit Sharma calls in Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.

In this series, India have played three different spinners in three matches - Washington Sundar in Perth, Ravi Ashwin in Adelaide and here in Brisbane - Jadeja.

Australia 121/3 after 48 overs

Steve Smith (31*) and Travis Head (25*) are batting watchfully in the middle for Australia. They are building the innings slowly and steadily for the hosts.

Good one from Akash Deep, just one run off it through a no-ball.

Australia 116/3 after 47 overs

Ooh!! What a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Steve Smith could only manage an inside edge which flew over the stumps for a four towards fine leg. This after the previous delivery missed the outside edge of Smith's bat by a whisker. Good start from the ace pacer in the new session.

Australia 108/3 in 43.3 overs

India will be looking to break this growing stand between Steve Smith (25*) and Travis Head (20*) as soon as possible in the second session.

Jasprit Bumrah will start the proceedings with the ball for India.

Australia 104/3 after 43 overs

Jasprit Bumrah led India’s charge with two early breakthroughs, reducing Australia to 104/3 at lunch on the second day of the third Test on Sunday. Despite resilient efforts from Steve Smith and Travis Head, the visitors managed only 76 runs in the session under persistent pressure from Indian bowlers.

With much of day one lost to rain, play began 30 minutes early. Australia resumed at 28/0 but soon lost Usman Khawaja (21) to a sharp delivery from Bumrah that kissed the edge to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. It marked the third time Bumrah dismissed the left-hander in the series.

Bumrah struck again in his next over, removing Nathan McSweeney (9) for the fourth time this series with a well-angled delivery caught by Virat Kohli at second slip.

Steve Smith (25*), showcasing a new stance with his signature shuffle, and Marnus Labuschagne (12) tried to rebuild but were tested relentlessly by the Indian pacers. Nitish Reddy then claimed Labuschagne, tempting the batter into a drive that was snatched by Kohli, leaving Australia at 75/3.

The session wasn’t without drama. Mohammed Siraj briefly left the field with a knee concern, raising fears in the Indian camp, but he returned later.

Travis Head (20*), fresh at the crease, played aggressively, including a sublime cover drive off Bumrah, to add momentum before lunch.

68 balls | 16 runs | Four dismissals

Five innings
52 balls
12 runs
Four dismissals

121 balls

30 runs

Seven dismissals

Avg 4.28

SR 17.2

76 runs for 3 wickets in 29.4 overs! India took the opening session honours after Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed three Australian wickets in it. Australia batters have to work hard for the runs in the session.

Bumrah started the day with two early breakthroughs, dismissing both openers Usman Khawaja (21) and Nathan McSweeney (9) in consecutive overs.

Steve Smith (25 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (12) steadied the ship for Australia with 37 runs stand before Reddy removed Labuschagne. Smith and Travis Head (20 not out) then took the hosts to lunch break without more setbacks, adding unbeaten 29 runs for the fourth wicket.

Travis Head brings up 100 for the hosts with a single off Jasprit Bumrah. Good partnership going on between Steve Smith and Head in the middle. They have added 25 runs so far for the fourth wicket.

Australia 100/3 in 41.3 overs

Good news for Indian fans. Mohammed Siraj is back on the field after a brief stay outside of it after a slight niggle.

Australia 98/3 in 41 overs

209 balls
Eight wickets
Avg 14.37
SR 26.1

He has dismissed eight left handers in Test cricket and all of those have come from around the wicket angle.

BOOM! What a shot from in-form Travis Head. The batter drives it through the extra cover for a stunning boundary off Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia 91/3 in 37.4 overs

Some issues with Mohammed Siraj. Something wrong with the left knee or hamstring. Physio came out to check and the pacer is leaving the field. Akash Deep will complete the over.

Australia 85/3 in 36.2 overs

Big shout for LBW from Mohammed Siraj against Steve Smith, who did not play the shot. India went for a review, but Smith, on 18, survived on 'umpire's call'. The replay showed that the ball was just clipping the off stump. Unlucky Siraj!

Australia 75/3 in 34.3 overs

BIG WICKET! Nitish Kumar Reddy gets a big wicket for India. Marnus Labuschagne (12) edged it to Virat Kohli at second slip.

Reddy pitched it up full and outside off and Labuschagne went after it with hard hands and could only manage a thick outside edge. It flew quickly to Kohli's right at second slip and he took a sharp catch there. Second catch for Kohli today and first wicket for Reddy.

Timely breakthrough for India as Reddy broke the 37-run stand.

Australia 75/3 in 33.2 overs

More antics from Mohammed Siraj. He walks right up to Marnus Labuschagne (10*) and flips the bails over at the striker's end. And just as Siraj leaves, Labuschagne flips them right back over. Fans are loving it.

Australia 70/2 in 32.2 overs

Steve Smith (13*) played a straight drive to score three runs off Nitish Kumar Reddy in the over. First runs after two back-to-back maiden overs from India pacers. The Australia batters are very watchful at the moment.

Australia 65/2 after 30 overs

1 0 0 Wd5 0 1 0 - Bowling change at both ends for India. Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy are bowling at the moment after probing spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

Siraj bowled a wayward bouncer in it to give away five wides, and a total of seven runs.

Steve Smith (10*) and Marnus Labuschagne (8*) have steadied the Australian innings after two blows in quick time. The duo has added 24 runs so far for the third wicket.

Australia 62/2 in 27 overs

The Indian cricket team has decided to release travelling reserves Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini, and the trio are likely to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting from December 21.

The three seamers have been with India squad right from the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but the team management felt it would be ideal for them to get some game time under their belt now that only two Tests are left after the Brisbane fixture. India next play in Melbourne and Sydney before returning home after a long summer Down Under.

0 0 0 3 0 4 - Steve Smith (7*) gets a four off an edge to third man off Akash Deep. This after Marnus Labuschagne scored a three in it. Another 7 runs over for Akash Deep, but he will be excited with the edges he is getting.

Australia 51/2 after 22 overs

Edged & Gone! Second wicket for Jasprit Bumrah in no time. The ace pacer forces an edge off Nathan McSweeney's bat and Virat Kohli takes a simple catch at second slip. Another short of a good length delivery and angling back into the right-hander, McSweeney pressed half-forward on the back-foot defence, but he didn't really cover the line, got a thick edge and it flew straight into the hands of Kohli. McSweeney scored 9 runs off 49 balls.

What a start for India on Day 2

Australia 38/2 in 18.3 overs

4 1 2 0 0 0 - Good one from Akash Deep, even though seven runs were scored in it.

Nathan McSweeney (9*) started with a four off an outside edge to third man. Marnus Labuschagne opened his account with a two off an inside edge.

Australia 38/1 in 18 overs

Early breakthrough for India. Jasprit Bumrah strikes early on Day 2 to send Usman Khawaja (21) back to the pavilion. Khawaja edges it to wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, who claims his 150th dismissal behind the stumps in Tests.

Australia 31/1 in 16.1 overs

Good, probing start from Jasprit Bumrah. A big shout for LBW against Usman Khawaja too in it, but India decided not to go for a review as Rishabh Pant suggested it was a bit high to captain Rohit Sharma. Khawaja (21*) scored two runs in it.

Australia 31/0 in 15 overs

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.

The weather update suggests that while the overall forecast has improved, intermittent small showers from the southeast could still disrupt play at the Gabba. The clearer radar is a positive sign, but the prediction of further showers over the remainder of the Test adds urgency for both teams to capitalize on their opportunities. Ensuring a position of dominance early on could be crucial given the unpredictable weather conditions.

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.