Day 3 of the 3rd Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane not only saw a challenging contest on the field but also ignited a wave of harsh criticism and sarcastic commentary on social media. As India faced struggles, the online platforms were flooded with debates, jabs, and calls for accountability. Here’s a breakdown of the key talking points making the rounds:

Virat Kohli’s Shot Selection Sparks Debate

Virat Kohli’s dismissal, caught behind after attempting a drive on a fifth-stump line ball, quickly became a hot topic on social media. Fans criticized his shot selection as reckless and unnecessary, questioning his ability to leave balls outside the off-stump. The dismissal sparked comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar’s famous innings in the 2003–04 Sydney Test, where Tendulkar showed the discipline to avoid risky shots like the cover drive. Fans even suggested watching his idol’s videos to learn how to avoid such dismissals, as Kohli has fallen to similar shots multiple times.

Rohit Sharma Faces Leadership Questions

Rohit Sharma has been in the spotlight, with social media buzzing with questions about his leadership. Critics have been questioning his abilities, especially after the team’s struggles. Rohit’s batting form is also a concern, although he remains not out at the end of Day 3. People are waiting for the next opportunity to either praise him or criticize him, depending on his performance on Day 4. His leadership has become a frequent topic of debate, with fans eager to see if he can lead India to a comeback.

Rain Sarcasm: India’s “Savior”

With rain interruptions dominating Day 3, social media users sarcastically suggested that only the weather could save India from a certain defeat. Jokes and memes circulated, mocking the team’s inability to counter Australia’s dominance and suggesting that rain was their only hope. This sentiment reflected the frustration of fans who, while hopeful, questioned India’s chances of winning without external factors coming into play.

Young Players Criticized

Young players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant found themselves in the line of fire after their disappointing performances. Gill was criticized for his inconsistent batting, with many questioning his place in the team due to his relatively low batting average. Jaiswal, who was dismissed after just the second ball of the innings, found himself the target of mocking comments. This was especially pointed given his bold remarks during the Perth Test, where, after his impressive knock, he had taunted Australian bowler Mitchell Starc by saying, "You're too slow." Fast forward to the second Test in Adelaide, where Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck off the very first ball of the innings, and then again in this match, dismissed on just the second ball. Fans were quick to mock him, questioning his overconfidence and how quickly things turned around after his earlier comments to Starc. Pant, too, came under criticism after failing in five consecutive innings.

India has a difficult task ahead in the final days of the 3rd Test, but a comeback is within reach. Fans must stay supportive, offering both constructive feedback and encouragement as the team battles to recover.

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.

The race to the 2024-25 World Test Championship (WTC) final is heating up with every passing Test match. Teams such as South Africa and Australia have made some recent gains and have bolstered their chances for a potential spot in the final. While on the other hand, teams like India and Sri Lanka have been dented substantially following their recent defeats despite being in a promising position. 

However, with at least 10 more Test matches to go in this ongoing WTC cycle, the top four teams are still very much in contention with no team currently assured of a spot in the top two just yet. But following a convincing 2-0 series win by South Africa and a 0-2 drubbing for the Black Caps at home, there have been some intriguing changes in the standings of several teams in the WTC points table. 

Let's find out how the teams are stacked up and what they are required to do to finish in the top two. 

Rankings in the WTC Points table

South Africa, Australia, India, and Sri Lanka are the top four teams in the ongoing WTC table. All of them have a possibility of making it to the top two but at present, it is South Africa that is dominating the charts. India had previously acquired the top spot by beating Australia by 295 runs in the Perth Test. But their number one position was immediately challenged and they slipped to the second position following their 10-wicket loss against Australia in Adelaide. But South Africa, on the back of a crushing 2-0 series weep against Sri Lanka at home have surpassed the two and surged to the top of the WTC points table. 

Here is the rundown of the top four teams and where they stand: 

South Africa

South Africa's 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka has propelled them to the leading position in the World Test Championship standings. To guarantee a spot in the final, they must win at least one of the two Test matches against Pakistan in the upcoming two-match home series scheduled to commence later this month. A split result of 1-1 would result in a percentage of 61.11%, with only one of either India or Australia capable of surpassing them.

Australia

Australia requires two victories in their three remaining Test matches against India to guarantee a spot in the final. Should they achieve a 3-2 series victory, they could still lose both Tests in Sri Lanka and conclude with a percentage of 55.26, surpassing India's 53.51 and Sri Lanka's 53.85. This outcome would ensure they secure at least second place, trailing only South Africa.

India

India's WTC aspirations have taken a bit of a backseat ever so slightly following their defeat in the pink-ball Test. To secure a position in the final, India must achieve two victories and one draw in their remaining three Test matches in Australia. This outcome would elevate their percentage to 60.53%, guaranteeing them at least the second position, trailing only South Africa. Even if Australia were to win 2-0 against Sri Lanka, their maximum percentage would only reach 57.02%.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka commenced their tour to South Africa on a very assuring note but all their high ambitions have come down crashing as they suffered a horrendous Test series loss in a two-match series. They are still mathematically not out of the race yet but their fate now hangs on the outcome of other teams and how they fare in their forthcoming fixtures. Should Sri Lanka secure victories in both Tests against Australia, their final score would be 53.85. This outcome would place them in a precarious position, reliant on the results of other matches. South Africa, along with either India or Australia, could surpass this score; India would require one win and one draw, whereas Australia would need to achieve two wins. For both India and South Africa to remain below 53.85, Australia must win the series 2-1, accompanied by two draws.

New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and West Indies are all but out of the WTC final race. Pakistan may still remotely have a chance of making it to the top should they manage to win the two upcoming Tests against South Africa provided that the home side suffers points deduction for slow overrate penalties. If that were the case, South Africa's overall PCT could drop below Pakistan which can help the Men in Green to surge forward and make it to the top two. But as per expert opinion, such an occurrence remains a distant possibility. 

See also: Harry Brook climbs to the second position in the ICC Test Batting ranking following a stellar show at Christchurch

India vs. Australia has been one of the most exciting rivalries in cricket history, delivering unforgettable matches since their first encounter in 1947-48. The contrasting playing conditions in the two countries add a layer of intrigue, making every series unique. Over the decades, many Indian batters have risen to the challenge, dominating Australian bowlers at home and away.

Here’s a look at the top five Indian batters who have scored the most runs against Australia in Test cricket.

5. Virat Kohli – 2042 Runs

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has an outstanding record against Australia across formats. In Test cricket, he ranks fifth among Indians with the most runs against the Aussies.

In 25 matches, Kohli has amassed 2042 runs at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries (the second-most by an Indian vs. Australia) and five half-centuries. His highest score of 186 reflects his dominance with the bat. Kohli's leadership was historic; under him, India secured their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19.

4. Cheteshwar Pujara – 2074 Runs

Known for his grit and resilience, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a thorn in Australia’s side. Between 2010 and 2023, Pujara played 25 Tests against them, scoring 2074 runs at an average of 49.38.

Pujara was instrumental in India’s victories in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, emerging as the highest scorer in 2016-17 and 2018-19, and the second-highest in 2020-21. His tally includes five centuries and 11 half-centuries, proving his consistency across challenging conditions.

3. Rahul Dravid – 2143 Runs

Rahul Dravid, often referred to as The Wall, was a dependable batter for India in tough situations. Against Australia, he played 32 Tests between 1996 and 2012, scoring 2143 runs at an average of 39.68.

Dravid's contributions included two centuries and 13 half-centuries. His memorable 233 at Adelaide in 2003, and his partnership with VVS Laxman at Eden Gardens in 2001, underline his significance in India’s Test cricket history.

2. VVS Laxman – 2434 Runs

VVS Laxman had a special connection with playing against Australia, producing some of his career-best performances. He scored 2434 runs in 29 Tests between 1998 and 2012 at an impressive average of 49.67.

His innings of 281 at Eden Gardens in 2001 remains one of the greatest Test knocks of all time, helping India achieve a famous comeback win. Laxman’s six centuries and 12 half-centuries against Australia further highlight his ability to perform under pressure.

See Also: Watch: Travis Head looks set to bring back WC 2023 nightmare

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 3630 Runs

The Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 3630 runs against Australia, the most by any Indian and second-most overall in Test cricket. Tendulkar played 39 Tests against Australia from 1991 to 2013, averaging 55 with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries.

His innings of 241 not out in Sydney in 2004 showcased his mastery over the Australian bowlers. Tendulkar’s consistency and ability to rise to the occasion made him the Aussies’ biggest challenge for over two decades.

The India-Australia rivalry in Test cricket is more than just a contest—it’s a battle of grit, skill, and legacy. These five batters have left an indelible mark on this storied competition, inspiring generations of cricketers and fans alike.

In the forthcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, Indian middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav is poised to lead the team, stepping in for the injured Hardik Pandya, who was initially slated to captain the side in the series.

The decision comes four days after the ICC World Cup 2023 Final, with the Indian team hosting Australia in a T20I series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is anticipated to opt for second-string players, resting most of the World Cup squad members.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy Debut: Filling the Void Left by Pandya’s Injury

Suryakumar Yadav is set to make his debut as the captain of the national team, as reported by the Indian Express. Serving as the vice-captain during India’s West Indies tour, Yadav assumes leadership in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained in the opening World Cup match against Bangladesh.

The BCCI’s senior national selection committee is gearing up to announce the squad for the upcoming T20 series. Suryakumar Yadav, with previous captaincy experience leading the Mumbai team in domestic cricket and the India Under-23 team in the Emerging Cup, is expected to take charge.

See Also:Four franchises that might pursue Rachin Ravindra for IPL 2024

Despite Hardik Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be retained from the Indian ODI World Cup squad for the T20I series against Australia. The seasoned 33-year-old has an impressive track record in T20Is, having represented India in 53 matches, accumulating 1841 runs at an average of 46.02 and an outstanding strike rate of 172.7, including three centuries and 15 fifties.

The T20I series against Australia is scheduled to kick off on November 23 in Visakhapatnam, followed by matches in Thiruvananthapuram on November 26, Guwahati on November 28, Nagpur on December 1, and the final match in Hyderabad on December 3.

Injured Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc has indicated he will most certainly miss the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against India at Nagpur from February 9, saying he should be available from the second Test onwards. Starc suffered an injury on the opening day of the Boxing day Test against South Africa, hurting the finger of his bowling arm while attempting a catch.

The 32-year-old Starc was diagnosed with a detached tendon in the middle finger and missed the third and final Test against the Proteas at Sydney. “That’s probably likely (I will miss the first Test). We’ll see how we’re placed at the end of the month,”. Starc was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press on Monday. “Travis Head, Marnus (Labuschagne), Smudge (Steve Smith). They all come into it a bit more. Generally if you’re picking two spinners you’re not expecting it to be a long game,” added Cummins.

Also Read: Rohit & Virat unlikely for T20I, Pandya for the long haul

Mitchell Starc would miss the first test against India

“Hopefully I am there for the second Test if they want to play me. We’ll see how the finger is.” With all-rounder Cameron Green also not a certainty for the opening Test due to a fractured finger he suffered during the MCG game after being hit by an Anrich Nortje bouncer, Australia are left short of pace bowling back-up. However, Josh Hazlewood will most likely play the Nagpur game – his second Test in Asia since 2017. Hazlewood was in fine form during the third Test against the Proteas in Sydney where he claimed four first-innings wickets, forcing the tourists to follow on.

But weather played spoilsport and the match ended in a draw. Test skipper Pat Cummins too gave his verdict on Hazlewood, saying he is a certainty for the Nagpur Test. “No qualms picking (Hazlewood), you know what you’re going to get and it is quality,” said Cummins on Monday. “Getting four or five wickets on that (Sydney) wicket. Every time he (Hazlewood) bowled he looked threatening.” Last year’s Ashes hero Scott Boland too could be in contention for a possible third pacer’s slot with Green too doubtful.