AUS vs IND 3rd Test Day 5 Highlights: Rain Dominates as Match Ends in a Draw

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:57:17 GMT

The fifth day of the 3rd Test between India and Australia began with Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah resuming India’s innings from where they had left off the previous day. The pair added a few crucial runs in the early morning before Akash Deep was stumped by Alex Carey off Travis Head’s bowling. With that dismissal, India was bowled out for 260, avoiding the follow-on but trailing by 186 runs.

First Session: Rain Halts Play

Australia started their second innings aiming to extend their lead quickly, but heavy rain soon arrived, disrupting the game. The first session saw minimal play as the rain and wet outfield delayed proceedings. By lunch, India was still trailing, and the weather looked ominous.

Second Session: Australia Goes for Quick Runs

When play resumed after lunch, Australia adopted an aggressive approach. They scored 89 runs in just 18 overs, despite losing seven wickets in the process. The intent was clear — they wanted to build a commanding lead before declaring. Eventually, Australia set a target of 275 for India, declaring their innings to force a result in the match.

Final Session: Rain and Bad Light End Hopes

India came out to bat with 275 to chase but managed only 2.1 overs, scoring 8 runs without losing a wicket. Just as Mitchell Starc began his spell, dark clouds loomed over the ground, and bad light forced the umpires to stop play. Tea was taken early, and shortly after, the rain returned, washing out the remainder of the day. With the official overs running out and no improvement in weather conditions, the match was declared a draw after discussions between the captains and umpires.

The Impact of Rain and Interruptions

This match saw numerous interruptions, with Day 4 alone witnessing six stoppages. Rain and bad light across the five days frustrated players and fans, disrupting the game’s rhythm. Without these delays, the contest could have been far more thrilling, with both teams having chances to push for a result.

With the series tied at 1–1, the focus now shifts to the next two matches, where India and Australia will fight to take the upper hand in this fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.