Border Gavaskar Trophy: When will the Gabba Test resume?

After an uninterrupted run on Day 2, the Gabba Test has once again been engulfed by heavy rain. The third Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy began under a forecast of clouds hindering the entire course of play. Luckily, Day 2 in Brisbane defied the prediction after the opening day was washed out, with just 13.2 overs bowled. Now, Day 3 is proceeding with rain in Brisbane consistently playing spoilsport as India takes its turn to bat against the Aussies.

India stages yet another batting struggle in the Border Gavaskar Trophy amidst frequent rain halts

The Gabba Test has scripted another struggling outing for Team India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. After Day 1 ended early due to rain disruptions, the second day witnessed Travis Head smashing his second ton in consecutive matches. Moreover, Steve Smith returned to form with a solid partnership alongside Head for the fourth wicket, culminating in a century stand. India made late inroads into the game, thanks to a splendid fifer by Jasprit Bumrah, India's crisis man Down Under.

The third day began with the Gabba under covers as rain threatened to delay the start of play. However, the initial delay proved short-lived, and the game commenced just five minutes beyond the scheduled start. After hitting Jadeja for a six and Bumrah for a four, Mitchell Starc emerged as the wicket that turned Bumrah’s five-wicket haul into six, nicking one to Rishabh Pant.

Not even 40 minutes into the match, rain returned to the venue with Australia at 435 for 8. The shower, which halted play at 6:00 am IST, lasted only five minutes, and the players returned to the ground soon after. Australia had not declared at that point, with Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon still at the crease. Mohammed Siraj claimed his second victim of the Test by bowling Lyon, leaving Australia at 445 for 9. The innings wrapped up at the same score when Alex Carey handed a delivery from Akash Deep into the hands of Shubman Gill at mid-wicket.

India had to wait to bat as rain returned, this time hitting the Gabba heavily. When the match resumed around 7:00 am IST, the pitch played in favor of the bowlers. Replaying his struggles against Mitchell Starc, Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to the dugout on the second ball of the innings. Starc struck again in the third over, dismissing Shubman Gill as the No. 3 batter edged one to Mitchell Marsh. The pitch, which had aided Travis Head and Steve Smith in the first innings, now saw the Indian top order reeling at 6 for 2. While KL Rahul held his ground, Virat Kohli once again succumbed to his weaknesses. In his frustrating inability to leave a wide delivery alone, Kohli nicked an outside-off delivery from Josh Hazlewood straight into the keeper's gloves.

Lunch arrived with India struggling at 26 for 3. Shortly after the Lunch break ended, play stopped again as the incessant showers returned for the nth time. The game resumed after a break lasting around 45 minutes. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant attempted to drive the Indian innings forward before the clouds came back. This hindrance was brief, but Pant fell soon after resumption to the Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, for a paltry score of 9 (12). Thankfully for the visitors, the rain returned with India reeling at 44 for 4.

When will the Day 3 of the Gabba Test resume?

The showers, which hit the Gabba around 10:00 am IST, persisted long enough for the Tea break to commence at 10:30. However, the Tea interval was shortened as the rain showed no sign of slowing down. With the downpour continuing for the last hour and a half, Day 3 is at risk of ending prematurely. The forecast, moreover, predicts similar conditions for the remaining two days of the third Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

It is still raining in Brisbane and that will be Tea on Day 3.#TeamIndia 48/4 in the 1st innings

Scorecard - https://t.co/dcdiT9NAoa#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Ro6VapMGcw

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2024

Australia’s lethal pace attack, comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, still has hold of a ball that’s just 14 overs old. If play resumes, KL Rahul and skipper Rohit Sharma will need to sustain their partnership long enough to avoid an adverse result. However, from the looks of it, the Gabba Test seems to be heading for a draw if the rain lingers long enough to save India from further embarrassment Down Under. The latest update from Gabba informs that the rain has finally stopped and an inspection is scheduled at 12:20 pm IST.