Day 4 of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Gabba saw India fight hard to stay in the contest. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were the key contributors, with Rahul making 84 after surviving an early drop. Jadeja also played a crucial knock, scoring 77, and keeping India’s chances alive. Despite their efforts, India ended the day trailing Australia by 193 runs at stumps, with one wicket remaining.

Jadeja and KL Rahul Lead India’s Fightback

Day 4 began with Pat Cummins delivering a fiery opening spell. In his very first ball of the day, KL Rahul nicked the ball, but Steve Smith dropped the catch on 33, giving Rahul a lifeline. He capitalized on this opportunity, going on to score a solid 84 before Smith redeemed himself with a stunning catch. Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal for just 10 runs put India under pressure, but Ravindra Jadeja took charge. His knock of 77 kept India in the game and provided much-needed stability to the innings.

See Also: Fans slam Indian team management after Ravindra Jadeja's heroic batting performance

Lower Order Resilience: Akash Deep and Bumrah Stand Strong

After Jadeja’s dismissal, India’s hopes rested on the last-wicket pair of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo added a vital unbeaten 39-run partnership, ensuring India avoided the follow-on. As bad light stopped play early, India finished the day at 252/9, trailing by 193 runs. With the match leaning towards a draw, fans await Day 5 to see if India can extend their innings or if Australia finishes things off quickly.

With rain expected, there is a high chance the match could end in a draw. However, both teams are still in with a chance of a surprising win. Whether Australia or India secures a victory, it will be a surprising outcome considering the situation. The final day promises to be crucial as both sides fight for the lead.

In the crucial Brisbane Test, while hosts Australia have earned a massive advantage, they have been hit by a fresh injury concern in the first session of the fourth day as one of the key pacers couldn’t bowl much. 

After scoring 445 runs in the first innings of the Gabba Test, Australian pacers dominated on the third day as India were struggling at 51/4. Apart from the opener KL Rahul, who remained not out at 33 runs, all other Indian batters failed to reach double-digit scores.

Watch: KL Rahul's century denied by Steven Smith's stunning catch

Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness

On the fourth day, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood could bowl only one over in the first session due to a calf injury. During warm-up, the right-arm pacer felt discomfort in the calf. Later, it was revealed that the right-arm pacer was taken for scans in the treatment for calf awareness. 

An Australian spokesperson said, "Josh Hazlewood reported calf awareness in this morning’s warm-up. He will be taken for scans to assess the injury. Any updates will be shared in due course."

During India’s first innings of the Brisbane Test, Hazlewood picked up the wicket of the former Indian captain Virat Kohli. 

Hazlewood missed the Adelaide Test

Hazlewood missed out on the second Test of the ongoing five-match Test series at Adelaide Oval, which was a day-night pink ball Test match, due to a side strain. Scott Boland replaced him for that Test match, and the right-arm pacer troubled the Indian batters heavily. 

The five-match Test series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, is currently standing at 1-1. While the visitors India started this Test series with a victory by 295 runs at Perth Stadium, Australia won the pink-ball Adelaide Test match by 10 wickets. 

Day 3 of the 3rd Test match between India and Australia at Brisbane unfolded with a mix of challenges for India, highlighted by persistent rain interruptions, a strong Australian performance, and India’s batting struggles. Australia’s impressive total of 445 set the tone before rain delays forced an early lunch. The overcast skies and frequent stoppages dominated the day, adding to the drama on the field and leaving fans eager for a turnaround.

India’s Batting Collapse and Short Play in the Second and Third Session

India began their innings poorly, with the top order crumbling under pressure. At 44/4, the team found itself in dire straits. Frequent rain delays meant that only 14.1 overs were possible in the second session.

After a two-hour delay due to heavy rain, play resumed in the third session, but only 17 balls were bowled before poor light forced an early end to the day’s play. India finished Day 3 at 51/4, with their hopes pinned on a fightback on Day 4.

Key Highlights of the Day

• Rain interruptions: Over 70% of the day was lost to rain.

• Australia’s dominance: The team extended their lead to 394 runs by the end of Day 3, putting pressure on India.

• India’s batting collapse: The top order failed again, leaving India in a precarious position.

• Minimal play in the third session: Only 17 balls were bowled before bad light ended play.

Day 3 at Brisbane presented a tough challenge for India, with a batting collapse adding to the team’s ongoing struggles. With rain expected to disrupt play over the next two days, the spotlight shifts to India’s ability to stage a determined fightback on Day 4. As fans hold onto hope, the weather and resilience of the Indian lineup will play crucial roles in shaping the outcome of this Test match.

Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and India at Brisbane brought back the thrill. After Day 1 was marred by rain and left fans disappointed, today’s uninterrupted play offered some brilliant cricketing action. Australia ended the day in a commanding position at 405/7, with significant contributions from Travis Head, Steve Smith, and Alex Carey’s late cameo, it was a tough day for India. Only Bumrah shone once again, but there were many exciting moments of action that you wouldn’t want to miss. Let’s dive into the top 5 moments that defined the day!

5. Siraj Silences the Crowd by Dismissing Cummins

Siraj, who faced constant booing from the Australian crowd, turned things around brilliantly by taking the crucial wicket of skipper Pat Cummins. Before this delivery, he bowled a bouncer that flew high past both the batsman and the keeper, resulting in wide and byes adding 5 runs. But on the very next ball, Siraj delivered a beauty to bowl Cummins out. His composed celebration said it all as the crowd was left stunned, marking a special moment in what was otherwise a tough day for Indian bowlers.

4. Travis Head’s Back-to-Back Hundreds

Travis Head continued to shine with yet another century, following his heroics in Adelaide. Starting confidently, he dismantled the Indian bowling attack with his aggressive approach. The Gabba crowd erupted as he reached his ton, flicking the ball between mid-wicket and mid-on for three runs. His signature celebration — bat raised, helmet perched on the bat handle, and hands pointed skyward — followed by a kiss on the Australian crest, was met with a standing ovation. A moment of sheer brilliance for Head and the fans!

3. Steve Smith’s Comeback Century

Steve Smith ended his 18-month century drought in style, scoring his 33rd Test hundred. This milestone not only marked his personal comeback but also cemented his place as Australia’s second-highest century-maker in Test cricket, surpassing Steve Waugh. The crowd rose to their feet to applaud his achievement, and Smith’s graceful celebration added to the significance of the moment.

2. Labuschagne’s Wicket Sparks Kohli’s Fiery Celebration

Marnus Labuschagne was looking solid in his partnership with Steve Smith when Nitish Reddy bowled a fuller delivery that Labuschagne edged to Virat Kohli. The dismissal ignited a fiery celebration from Kohli, who put a finger to his lips, silencing the crowd in support of Mohammed Siraj, who had been targeted earlier. This moment was a testament to Kohli’s passion and resilience, electrifying the atmosphere at the Gabba.

1. Siraj vs Labuschagne: The Funny Exchange of Bails

A light-hearted moment stole the show in the 38th over. Labuschagne left a delivery in his unique style, and Siraj came closer to the wicket and flipped the bails off the stumps. Labuschagne, not one to back down, walked back and reset the bails in the same manner. The playful exchange had the crowd in splits, highlighting the amusing side of the intense game. This moment perfectly captured the spirit of cricket and left fans grinning ear to ear.

What was your favorite moment from Day 2? Was it Siraj’s wicket, Head’s century, or the lighthearted exchange between Siraj and Labuschagne? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Gabba in Brisbane has long been regarded as Australia's stronghold, a place where the home team has always prevailed. For India, this field has been a source of both frustration and glory, capturing the highs and lows of cricket struggles in Australia, as they had just one but significant victory on Brisbane soil.

As India prepares for their next and crucial third Test match at this legendary venue on December 14, 2024, here are the top five most memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) matches played at the Gabba, Brisbane.

While the key pacer Josh Hazlewood has already been ruled out from the upcoming Adelaide Test against India, the tense Australian camp has got new major headaches.   

Adelaide Oval is set to host the important day-night pink-ball Test match between Australia and India from December 6. It will be the second Test of the five-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where the visitors India are leading the series by 1-0 after winning the Perth Test by 295 runs.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood has already been ruled out from the Adelaide Test due to a low-grade left-side injury. Moreover, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s fitness has raised questions about his availability for the upcoming Adelaide Test.  

See Also: Travis Head names one of the greatest pacers of the game

Steven Smith was injured at practice

Now, according to the media reports, the experienced Australian batter Steven Smith got an injury during a recent practice. In the net practice, Smith was reportedly batting with Marnus Labuschagne when one ball stuck on Smith’s right hand. Soon, the team physio attended to check the former Aussie captain’s issue. Smith's net session was cut at that moment. 

Later, Smith returned to the net only for a short period. However, there is no official news or assessment about Smith’s new injury. Australia are surely hoping for no more major injury issues. 

Marnus Labuschagne was also hurt

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne, who is under pressure for his poor batting form, also got an injury when the assistant coach Daniel Vettori’s one rising delivery hit him. However, soon he prepared himself to continue his batting practice. 

The upcoming Adelaide Test will be the day-night pink ball Test match. It will be Australia's 13th pink-ball Test match. After winning all their first 11 pink-ball Tests, Australia finally suffered their first pink-ball Test defeat last January when West Indies beat them by eight runs in the Gabba Test. 

India's first innings at the Optus Stadium began with a turbulent start, as the Australian pacers exploited the lively surface to full effect. Under overcast conditions, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were relentless, delivering fiery spells that left India reeling at 59/5 within the first session. Without the services of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, the visitors faced an uphill battle against the aggressive Australian attack. Wickets tumbled in quick succession, with Cummins accounting for KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara, while Starc dismissed debutant Nishant Sindhu for a duck. As the Indian lineup faltered, a spirited partnership was desperately needed to stabilize the innings.

Rishabh Pant rose to the occasion, showcasing his trademark counter-attacking style, and found a reliable ally in Nitish Kumar Reddy. Together, they forged a crucial 48-run stand that momentarily stemmed the flow of wickets. Pant’s quick 37, laced with audacious strokes, and Reddy’s composed 41 offered a glimmer of hope before Cummins struck again to break the partnership. The tail offered little resistance, as India’s innings folded for a modest 150 in just under 50 overs. While the score appeared underwhelming, the stage was set for the Indian bowlers to script an extraordinary comeback later in the day.

See Also: Virat Kohli's 80th century at Perth: A step toward cricketing immortality

Breakdown of Jasprit Bumrah in 1st Innings agaisnt Australia 

Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance with the ball set the tone for India's emphatic victory over Australia in Perth during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Leading from the front as the skipper, Bumrah showcased why he is considered one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in world cricket. His spell of 5/30 in the first innings dismantled the Australian batting order and put India in the driver’s seat early on. His ability to extract movement off the seam and his precision with the inswinger, which was his most productive delivery at 60% dot-ball effectiveness, left the Australian batters clueless.

The control Bumrah exhibited was a hallmark of his spell, as he maintained a miserly boundary percentage of just 3.53% across his 19.4 overs. He bowled an incredible 13 maiden overs, continuously applying pressure on the Australian lineup. Bumrah targeted the stumps with precision, delivering 15 balls straight towards the wickets, achieving a 60% dot-ball rate in that area. On the off-side, his dominance was unmatched, with 258 balls bowled at a staggering 82.8% dot-ball rate, while his leg-side deliveries maintained a tidy 78.8% dot-ball percentage. This level of discipline ensured the Australians found no escape route to release pressure.

Bumrah’s spell featured wickets of key players across the Australian batting lineup. He removed the ever-reliable Marnus Labuschagne for just 2 runs and sent Steve Smith packing without scoring. The dangerous Mitchell Starc was the highest run-getter against Bumrah, managing 26 runs, but even he eventually fell victim to Bumrah’s unrelenting accuracy. Contributions from Alex Carey (21) and Travis Head (11) could not stem the flow of wickets, as Bumrah kept striking at regular intervals, leaving Australia reeling.

The skipper's performance not only highlighted his ability to take crucial wickets but also showcased his leadership under pressure. After India had been bowled out for 150 in their first innings, Bumrah knew that the only way to keep the team in the game was through a fiery display of bowling. His efforts in breaking Australia’s resistance helped India gain a critical first-innings lead of 46 runs, which ultimately shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.

This spell will be remembered as a defining moment of Bumrah’s captaincy tenure. It was a masterclass in strategic, attacking bowling that gave India the upper hand in the match. Bumrah’s 5/30 not only cemented his status as one of the finest bowlers in the world but also ensured India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. His remarkable ability to deliver under pressure proved pivotal in scripting one of India’s most dominant Test wins on Australian soil.

See Also: The Rise of Jaiswal: A century in Australia adds to his growing legacy!

After succumbing to a rare failure against Pakistan in the recently concluded ODI series,  Australia fought back brilliantly to achieve an unassailable 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series. With the series decided firmly in favor of the hosts, Australia did not leave any stone unturned coming into the third T20I at Hobart where a spirited effort bowling effort from the Australian quicks left the visitors gasping for breath.

Despite some gutsy contributions from Babar and Haseebullah, Rizwan’s decision to bat first flopped big-time as Pakistan were bundled out cheaply for 117 inside 18.1 overs.

Pakistan’s vulnerable batting lineup exposed at the Bellerive Oval

The young pace attack of Australia accounted for the bulk of the damage. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Aaron Hardie ran riot in Hobart sharing seven wickets. Whereas only two wickets fell to spin, Zampa claiming all two of them. 

After losing Sahibzada Farhan early in the innings, Babar and Haseebullah laid a solid foundation for Pakistan and pushed the score to 61-1 by the end of the seventh over. But once the partnership was ended by Zampa, the Pakistan batting lineup capitulated almost instantly. 

It took no time for Hardie to run through the middle order while Ellis, Bartlett, and Johnson saved their best for the end to curtail the Pakistan innings well inside the allotted 20 overs. Following the fall of the second wicket, Pakistan lost their way completely as the visitors could only add another 56 runs at the expense of eight wickets.

Aaron Hardie registers third-best T20I bowling figures against PAK

Hardie’s impressive outing with the ball was instrumental in triggering such a collapse for Pakistan. The young aspiring all-rounder claimed three prize wickets of Usman, Agha, and Abbas while going for only 21 runs in his allotted four overs. Although his spell saw a couple of wides and a no-ball, Hardie only managed to concede two fours in his entire quota. 

His figures of 3-21 are now the third-best figures registered by any Australian bowler against Pakistan in T20I cricket. The youngster is now only behind Starc and Zampa who currently hold the best figures of 3-11 and 2-11 respectively.  

It was all too easy for Australia in the second innings as Stoinis' belligerent cameo of an unbeaten 61 (27) powered Australia to a crushing 7-wicket win in the third T20I helping them chase down the target inside 12 overs. 

See also: Did the Brisbane T20I involve any mistake or cheating?

Hosts Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan after winning the rain-curtailed Brisbane T20I on Thursday (November 14). However, there was a controversy, and some cricket fans were confused and surprised by the incident. 

The series-opener Brisbane T20I was shrunk to a 7-over contest. Australia scored 93/4, thanks to the powerful batting from Glenn Maxwell (43 off 19 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (21 not out off 7 balls). 

In reply, Pakistan scored 64/9 in seven overs, where Xavier Bartlett (3/13) and Nathan Ellis (3/9) took three wickets each, while Adam Zampa (2/11) and Spencer Johnson (1/29) shared the other three wickets.

The Controversy

In the first innings, Pakistan used four bowlers. After Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf completed their two-over quotas, Naseem Shah delivered the final over of the innings, which was his second over of the match. As Abbas Afridi bowled one over (2/9), Pakistan used four bowlers in the game.

Some cricket fans raised questions in that innings as Pakistan didn’t use the five bowlers in the innings. Even before the toss, the broadcasters also clarified that two bowlers can deliver a maximum of two overs each, and three other bowlers can deliver one over each. 

It will be a seven-over game 2 over powerplay, 2 bowlers can bowl two overs and three can bowl one#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/6LOveDiSQD

— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) November 14, 2024

Play will start at 3:20 PM (Pakistan Time), with 7 overs per side.

2 bowlers can bowl 2 overs each, and the other 3 bowlers will bowl an over each.#AUSvPAK | #PAKvsAUS | #PakistanCricket | #Cricket pic.twitter.com/jjffkh5pxt

— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) November 14, 2024

In fact, if we look at the second innings of the match, Australia also used the same tactics as Johnson, Bartlett, and Ellis bowled two overs each before Zampa delivered the last over. 

Usually, in limited-over matches, a team must use five bowlers (excluding a team’s innings was interrupted and not possible to restart their innings). In the shortened limited-over matches, the total overs have been divided between five bowlers, and some bowlers can deliver one additional over to make up the balance in the case of total overs not being divisible by five.

Special rule

However, T20I cricket has a special rule to allow each team to complete the innings with less than five bowlers in special cases.  

The ICC playing condition 13.9.4 claims, “for innings of rescheduled length of between 5 and 9 overs, no bowler may bowl more than two overs.” In this special condition, there is no requirement to use at least five bowlers if the innings are rescheduled between 5 and 9 overs.

So, the umpires and both the teams didn’t make any mistakes. However, the broadcasters made mistakes that brought more confusion to the cricket fans. 

In fact, it wasn't the first time we experienced it. The 2017 Thiruvananthapuram T20I between India and New Zealand also experienced a similar incident, where the Blackcaps used four bowlers, and each bowled two overs in the 8-over innings. 

Pakistan created a new history by winning the three-match ODI series against the hosts Australia after winning the last game of the series by eight wickets. 

Pakistan pacers dominated in the entire ODI series. In the third or series-decider ODI match at Perth, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first after winning the toss. Australia saw five changes in the playing XI, and Josh Inglis made his captaincy debut in international cricket. All the players, excluding only Inglis, related to the first Test match against India have been rested for the ODI series decider. 

SEE ALSO: Australian squad announced for Perth Test with two potential Test debutants

After bowling out Australia for only 140 runs, Pakistan chased the target in 26.5 overs after losing only two wickets. With this victory, Pakistan won the ODI series by 2-1. 

Among the top seven Australian batters, only the opener Matthew Short (22) and Aaron Hardie (12) reached the double-digit scores in the innings. 

Cooper Connolly was retired hurt

Cooper Connolly was retired hurt after scoring seven runs. On the second ball of the 17th over in the first innings, Connolly received a blow on his left hand from Mohammad Hasnain’s delivery. He went for a pull, but the ball hit his glove. He faced the next delivery before realising his injury. 

The 21-year-old cricketer Connolly has been ruled out from the upcoming home T20I series against Pakistan due to a fractured left hand. The scan report found a fracture to the fourth metacarpal of his left hand. His replacement for the upcoming T20I series will be announced soon. 

Coming back to the game, Australia were struggling at 88/6. Sean Abbott (30), Adam Zampa (13), and Spencer Johnson (12) added some runs to take the scoreboard close to 150 runs. 

All Pakistan pacers took wickets

Pakistan bowlers conceded 22 extras, including 16 wides, but those didn’t affect the visitors. While Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/32) and Naseem Shah (3/54) bagged three wickets each, Mohammad Hasnain (1/24) and Harsi Rauf (2/24) also picked up wickets. 

Pakistan batters chased comfortably

In reply, all the top Pakistan batters provided valuable contributions to chase the target comfortably. Openers Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) had an 84-run partnership for the first wicket, while Babar Azam (28*) and Mohammad Rizwan (30*) easily finished the game after both openers were dismissed in the same over. 

Among the Aussie bowlers, only Lance Morris (2/24) managed to pick up wickets. 

While Harris Rauf won the Player of the Match award, he also won the Players of the Series award after finishing the series as the leading wicket-taker (10 wickets).  

Pakistan created history as the first Asian team

It was Pakistan’s second ODI bilateral series victory in Australia. Previously, they recorded it in the 2002 tour when they won the three-match ODI series by 2-1. 

Pakistan became the first Asian team to win an ODI bilateral series more than once in Australia. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan also became the second visiting team in Australia to record twice winning an ODI bilateral series with more than one match. South Africa is the other team in this record as they won the 2009 and 2018 ODI series in Australia tours.