A battered India batting lineup struggled to 48-4 on Day 3 of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, as rain continued to disrupt proceedings. India, chasing a daunting 245 to avoid the follow-on, faced setbacks early in their innings and later lost wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant during a stop-start second session that saw only 6.5 overs bowled due to three rain interruptions.
Australia, having posted a commanding first-innings total of 445, held the upper hand as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood dismantled India’s top order in the morning session. The visitors lost Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli cheaply, leaving them reeling. By tea, KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 30, with captain Rohit Sharma yet to open his account.
Earlier, the day began with Australia resuming their innings at 405-7. The hosts added 40 runs to their overnight score, thanks to a spirited 70 from Alex Carey, before being bowled out. India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja, managed to wrap up the tail but were left with a steep task to remain competitive in the match.
India’s reply started disastrously. Jaiswal edged Starc’s very first delivery for four through gully but fell on the next ball, chipping it straight to Mitchell Marsh at square leg. Starc struck again in his next over, dismissing Shubman Gill with a stunning diving catch by Marsh at gully.
Josh Hazlewood then accounted for Virat Kohli, who edged a full delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, leaving India in deep trouble at 6-3. Adding to the drama, rain arrived moments after Kohli’s dismissal, forcing an early lunch.
Post-lunch, Rishabh Pant tried to stabilize the innings alongside Rahul but fell to Pat Cummins for just 13, edging a delivery to Carey. Soon after, the rain returned, cutting the session short and prompting an early tea.
With more rain forecasted, India’s chances of avoiding the follow-on and salvaging a draw look bleak. The visitors must dig deep on a challenging pitch against a relentless Australian attack to keep their hopes alive in the series.