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.

See Also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/brisbane-test-day-5-rain-plays-ultimate-spoilsport-in-unexpected-possible-thriller/

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.

Australia's middle-order batter Travis Head is doubtful for the Boxing Day Test due to a tight quad. Head was adjudged as Player of the Match for his knock of 152(160) in the first innings, putting the hosts on top. Head also scored a century in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide. He has been such a headache for the Indian side as consistently performing against them.

Travis Head didn't take on the field and also looked uncomfortable while batting. Ravi Shastri asked him during the post-match presentation about his fitness and he replied, "Just a little sore but I should be fine (before the next game)."

🗣️ "Trav, he'll be fine. It's a bit of a tight quad, he'll be fine for Melbourne."

- Pat Cummins on Travis Head's status #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3Xa1cDaH4l

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024

Pat Cummins provides an update regarding Head's availability

Skipper Pat Cummins provided an update about Head's availability for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Cummins said, "Trav, he'll be fine. It's a bit of a tight quad, he'll be fine for Melbourne." It will be a huge blow for the hosts if Travis Head misses out on the Melbourne Test or even the Sydney Test. The in-form batter is a crucial part of the host's power batting unit. So, the hosts will be hoping that Travis Head will recover within a week to feature in the Melbourne Test.

See Also:- Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket

Rain ends the game in a Draw and BGT moves to Melbourne at 1-1

Rain had the final say in the Brisbane Test as both teams had to settle it for a draw. After being dismissed for 260 by the hosts hosts had 185-run lead. Australia was able to score 89-7 in the 2nd innings to give visitors the target of 275 in 54 overs remaining on Day 5. But rain poured continuously and then they had to settle it for a draw. BGT 2024-25 now moves to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test with the series tied at 1-1.

Despite a good start, the visitors India are under pressure at the stumps on the second day of the Brisbane Test as Steven Smith and Travis Head’s centuries set the full control of the game for the hosts Australians.   

After the rain-interrupted opening day of the Gabba Test, which experienced only 80 balls, Australia started the second day at 28/0. 

India controlled the first session

In the first half an hour, both the Aussie openers Usman Khawaja and newcomer Nathan McSweeney were dismissed by the Indian star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up the third wicket by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne, which came after the Aussie batter’s hilarious bails swap moment with Mohammed Siraj. At that moment, Australia scored 75/3. 

Steven Smith and Travis Head replied strongly

Hosts dominated in the second session, where Steven Smith and Travis Head added 130 runs in 27 overs without losing their wickets. After Head’s naturally aggressive batting, Smith came out from the pressure and set a great example with his familiar batting. 

After completing his half-century in 71 balls, Head scored his ninth Test century in 115 balls. It was his second century in this Test series, which came in consecutive innings. 

Meanwhile, Smith completed his first 50 runs in 128 balls and then completed his century in 185 balls. It was his first Test century after 24 innings. While it was his 33rd Test century, he surpassed legendary Steve Waugh to record the second most Test centuries by an Australian batter. While Smith recorded the joint most Test centuries against India with English legend Joe Root by recording his 10th Test hundred, he also set a new record for most international centuries against India with his 15th international century. 

See Also: Mohammed Shami included in Bengal squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah shined once again

However, Jasprit Bumrah once again put the visitors in the game by taking wickets with the second new ball. While Smith lost his wicket for 101 runs (12 fours) as he produced a thick edge to the slip, captain Rohit Sharma grabbed a superb catch to end the frustrating partnership. Before that wicket, Smith and Head had a partnership of 241 runs for the fourth wicket.

Soon, Bumrah dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head in a single over. While Marsh only managed to score five runs, Head lost his wicket only after scoring valuable 152 runs off 160 balls (18 fours). It was Head’s 140+ runs in back-to-back Test innings. 

Alex Carey and the skipper Pat Cummins had a 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Cummins was caught behind in Mohammed Siraj’s over after scoring 20 runs. 

Australia scored 400+ total after 16 Test innings

Australia ended the second day of the Gabba Test at 405/7. While Carey scored 45 not out off 47 balls with five fours and one six, Mitchell Starc was not out at seven runs. They have set up a 20-run partnership for the unbroken eighth wicket. It was Australia's first 400+ total after 16 Test innings, including 12 completed or declared innings.

Jasprit Bumrah completed his 12th Test five-wicket haul by ending the day with the bowling figures of 25-7-72-5. 

While the in-experienced Indian batting has been struggling, Australia have the headache of poor weather forecast for the next three days of the Test match. As the series is in the 1-1 level position, this third Test of the five-match Test series is very crucial for both teams, who can afford a draw but not a defeat.

India's brutal hammering by a margin of 10 wickets in the Adelaide Test has been a major talking point in recent times. But it is not the only subject that is dominating the headlines. Siraj's on-field verbal spat with Head has been buzzing the internet for quite some time now. This incident has sparked strong reactions from several cricketing legends (retired and present) from both nations.

While a vast majority of the viewers held critical views on the on-field controversy, the ICC quickly sprung into action to settle the issue once and for all. As a form of punishment, Siraj received one demerit point and was docked 20% of his match fees. However, on the flip side, Head got away with one demerit point and was surprisingly not charged with any monetary fines as was the case with Siraj. 

See also: ICC punishes Siraj and Head for their on-field incident

Bhajji not impressed as ICC imposes harsh fine on Siraj  

While speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan was visibly not pleased with ICC's decision to punish Siraj on financial grounds and expressed his displeasure about the same.  

“Well, I think ICC is a bit too strict on players. These things happen in the ground. Obviously, forget what has happened and move forward. The players have patched up and talked to each other. Anyways, ICC being ICC has sanctioned the players. Let’s put that aside now and let’s move forward which is obviously, Brisbane. Let’s focus on cricket rather than all these controversies. Enough is enough." 

However, in the end, he stressed that the matter should not prolong much further as the ICC has passed a resolution and the two players reportedly patched up right after the end of the second Test. Furthermore, he urges the cricketing fraternity to now shift their focus to bigger aspects of the game that have the potential to define the outcome of the series. 

Piyush Chawla in alignment with Harbhajan Singh's viewpoint on this saga  

Indian spinner Piyush Chawla also extended his support to Harbhajan Singh on this recent controversy, suggesting that the matter should be closed since the ICC has acted on it. According to him, it is difficult to ascertain what exactly was said during that moment, and believes that there is no point in picking sides. 

"You can't really say who was wrong, who was right here. What I feel is that this should be the end of this thing right now. There's no on this thing to the next match or the fourth test match, and just that, what I feel personally is, that things will definitely get heated from the next Test match again, but what incident happened here, should leave it here in Adelaide." 

India received a crushing blow after their defeat in Adelaide by 10 wickets. Besides, South Africa's 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka have thrown them out of the top two positions in the WTC table. With so much at stake, India's upcoming Test match in Brisbane will be of paramount importance.  

The heated verbal exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj lit up the Adelaide Oval in the recently concluded pink-ball Test which was handsomely won by Australia by 10 wickets. Tempers flared and words were exchanged the moment Siraj knocked Head over with an unplayable yorker. Head's blistering 140 powered Australia to a crushing win over India but the debate regarding their on-field altercation continues to rage on. 

Although, while speaking about his performance at the end of the day's play, Head claimed that he said 'well bowled' to Siraj after being bowled but his claim was quickly confronted by Siraj and his ardent supporters back home. Head claimed that Siraj had misunderstood him but the latter rubbished his claims and stated that no such comment was mentioned by Head at the time of his dismissal. 

See also: Mohammed Siraj claims Travis Head lied about heated moment in Adelaide Test

Matthew Hayden weighs in on this ongoing spat

The ongoing verbal row has attracted the attention of former Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden. While taking his countryman's side, Hayden opined that he could "lip-read" and felt that Head had indeed said "well bowled" instead of something far more sinister as Siraj had suggested earlier.  

"There is no need to take further action on that. It was an incident that neither party really enjoyed. I don't think the cricket public enjoys that sort of reaction. He has bowled a wonderful ball, let's not forget that. An innings that was absolutely superb, it was a really significant moment. The removal of Travis Head. He said 'well bowled'. I could lip-read. But I suppose, in the heat of the battle there is going always going to be misinterpretation. But the point is my opinion, all is fair in love and war when it comes to the actual removal of the batter."

But Hayden refrained from raining the alarm bells and suggested that such occurrences are fairly common in high-octane rivalries. Since their infamous spat, both Head and Siraj were seen hugging each other by the end of the match thus burying the hatchet and resolving the misunderstandings that had cropped up during the second Test. 

What happened next?

The on-field verbal altercation brought the game into a momentary disrepute and the action did not go unnoticed by ICC. Quite understandably, both Head and Siraj have been penalized by the ICC by issuing one demerit point. As with the series, the ongoing five-match BGT series stands at 1-1 with the next Test slated to be played in Brisbane on December 14. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has punished both the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and the Australian batter Travis Head for their involvement in the on-field heated argument during the recently concluded Adelaide Test. 

During the second day of the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test match between Australia and India, when Siraj bowled Head, the Indian pacer had a furious celebration. While Head voiced that, the Indian pacer gave a send-off by gesturing towards the dressing room.

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head received one demerit point; Siraj also fined

Both Siraj and Head have been punished for that incident. While both have received one demerit point each, the Indian pacer has additionally received a 20% fine of the match fees. It was the first offence for both players within the last 24 months. 

Head has been sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match.”

On the other hand, Siraj has breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal."

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle proposed those sanctions. Both players have admitted their respective offences and accepted the respective sanctions. 

See Also: Harbhajan Singh recalls controversial Sydney 'Monkeygate' Test in 2008

Both gave different views

After the stumps of the second day, Head claimed that he jokingly said to Siraj, 'well bowled'. He also claimed that he was surprised at Siraj's reaction and disappointed with his return reaction. 

However, Siraj had a different claim. The Indian pacer said that Head lied about that incident by claiming his only saying 'well bowled'. According to Siraj, Head started the on-field confrontation by abusing him. 

During the evening of the opening day of the Adelaide Test, frustrated Siraj threw the ball at the batter Marnus Labuschagne for stopping him from delivering the ball at the last moment due to movement at the sight screen.

During the day-night pink-ball Adelaide Test battle, we experienced a heated battle between the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and the Australian batter Travis Head. While the Australian star Head opened up last night about the incident, Siraj openly replied Head’s claim was a lie.

Before the Adelaide Test, India were leading by 1-0 after winning the five-match Test series opener at Perth Stadium by 295 runs. In the Adelaide Test, after India were bowled out for only 180 runs, Australia replied with 337 runs. While Australia earned a strong lead of 157 runs, Travis Head had the contribution of 140 off 141 balls with the help of 17 fours and four sixes.

Watch: Unstoppable Rishabh Pant playing stunning shots under pressure

Mohammed Siraj vs Travis Head

During Australia’s first innings of the Adelaide Test, Siraj worked hard with the ball. Due to his frustration, he once threw the ball at the batter Marnus Labuschagne after he stopped Siraj at the last moment due to a movement at the sight screen. 

Siraj’s frustration was seen on the second day of the pink-ball Test. Before Siraj bowled Head, the left-handed batter hit Siraj 29 runs off 28 balls, including a sixer on the previous delivery of the dismissal. After dismissing Head, Siraj and the Aussie batter had a little heated moment, where Siraj gave him a send-off.

Head's OUT! ☝

The new ball brings success! Siraj is pumped, and so is #TeamIndia! 🔥#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test, Day 2 👉 LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/pehT9g4Ggs

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 7, 2024

Later, after the end of the second day, Head clarified that he jokingly said 'well bowled' after the dismissal. He added, “Then he pointed me in the sheds and I had my reaction as well.” Head further claimed that he was disappointed in the reaction he gave back. 

It's a lie that he only said 'well bowled' to me: Mohammed Siraj

However, Siraj has a different claim on that incident. The Indian pacer claimed that he had only wild celebrations before Head abused him, which triggered his send-off moment. Siraj further claimed that Head had lied about that incident by claiming only to say 'well bowled'. After his send-off, Siraj was booed by the Adelaide crowd.   

Siraj said, "It was a great battle going on (with Head) and he batted really well. When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently. And when I got him bowled, I only celebrated and he abused me and you saw that on TV too. I only celebrated at the start, I didn't say anything to him. What he said in the press conference wasn't right, it's a lie that he only said 'well bowled' to me. It's there for everyone to see that that's not what he said to me.

"We respect everyone, it's not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentleman's game, but what he did wasn't right. I didn't like it at all."

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj bagged four wickets in that innings, as his bowling figures of 24.3-5-98-4. While he fought really hard, he and Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t save the visitors in the Adelaide Test. 

Meanwhile, Siraj is in trouble for his several incidents during the Adelaide Test. He can get punished for his actions. 

Hosts Australia are totally under control at the stumps of the second day of the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test match, as they are dreaming of a dominant win to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with three matches to go. 

In reply to India’s 180 runs, Australia scored 337 runs in their first innings of the second Test. Starting their second innings by trailing 157 runs, the under-pressure Indian team scored 128/5 at the stumps of day two. 

Travis Head scored a brilliant century under pressure

At the start of the second day, Jasprit Bumrah provided two early breakthroughs for the visitors as Nathan McSweeney (39) and Steven Smith (2) were dismissed cheaply. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head then controlled the innings and set up an important fourth-wicket partnership. They had a 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 64 off 126 balls (nine fours), who suddenly lost the concentration. 

Travis Head then completely controlled the game with his powerful batting. The late batting orders provided some crucial support, where Head had a 74-run partnership with Alex Carey, who scored 15 runs. 

Before his dismissal, the game-changer Travis Head scored 140 off 141 balls with the help of 17 fours and four sixes. Mohammed Siraj finally bowled him. Captain Pat Cummins (12) and Mitchell Starc (18) also had some useful contributions with the bat. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Bumrah (4/61) and Siraj (4/98) bagged four wickets each. Ravichandran Ashwin (1/53) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/25) took one wicket each. 

See Also: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Mohammed Shami in Bengaluru for fitness test

Indian batters failed to convert starts

As expected, Indian batters failed to challenge strongly against the shiny pink ball under the light. Although some batters got starts, they failed to control the innings. Opener KL Rahul was dismissed for seven runs as Pat Cummins trapped him with a short ball in the fourth over. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a golden duck in the first innings of the Test match, got a good start, and he built up a good partnership with Shubman Gill. However, Scott Boland's spell once again worked for the hosts as he dismissed Jaiswal (24) on his first ball of the innings. While Virat Kohli (11) was caught behind in Boland's over, Shubman Gill (28) was bowled by Mitchell Starc. Later, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma (6) was bowled by the Aussie skipper.

Whatever happens on the other end, the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant continued his stunning shots at the end of the day. While Pant was not out for 28 off 25 balls with five fours, Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 15 not out off 14 balls with three fours. They ended the day with a 23-run partnership for the unbroken sixth wicket.

While Cummins (2/33) and Boland (2/39) took two wickets each, the left-arm fast bowler Starc (1/49), who picked up six wickets in the first innings of the Test, scalped one wicket at the stumps on day two. 

Australia batter Travis Head is all set to play against Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah with the pink ball. Speaking ahead of the Adelaide Test against India, the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head said that he knew what was coming. The Australian middle-order Test batter has been giving a tough fight to India over the past year.

However, Head batted well in the second innings of the first Test in Perth but he couldn't save the match for Australia. He scored 89 runs off just 101 balls before Bumrah brought himself back in the attack in the 39th over and dismissed him as well.

"I think I'm lucky that I faced him a few times" - Travis Head on Jasprit Bumrah

But, Head was confident about playing Jasprit Bumrah in the pink ball Test match and he also said that he knew what was coming his way.

"I am best when I just look for the cues when I'm, like, just preparing to watch the ball hard and staying fresh mentally. And I think I'm lucky that I faced him a few times. He comes across me a fair bit now, so it's going back to recent times and times you have played him and we've done it enough. Now we've been very fortunate to play him a lot. So, I know what's coming. It's just making sure that I'm prepared and fresh to play well," Travis Head said ahead of the Adelaide Test match.

SEE ALSO: Jay Shah starts his tenure as ICC Chair

"It’s nice to play against someone as challenging as him" - Travis Head on Jasprit Bumrah

"Jasprit will go down as probably one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game. It’s nice to play against someone as challenging as him," Head said. "It’ll be great to tell my grandkids that I faced him. Hopefully, I’ll face him a few more times, but he’s definitely been a tough competitor."  

The batter was also asked about the body language of the Australian team, which did not look good on Day 3 and 4 of the Perth Test match after they were bundled out for only 104 runs in the 1st innings as well. Head also said that there was no need to give focus too much into things and that they were working on the changes before the 2nd Test as well.

"It's probably the closer losses that hit you by a bit of surprise that it takes a few days, but with the way that our Test played out, like we're pretty much outplayed. So, pretty easy to realise what we did wrong. Now we get three or four days to work on them and make sure. And it's not really massive changes, but hopefully with a bit of energy and knowing what's on the line, we can crack on and play well," Head concluded. 

Just before the beginning of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian star Travis Head revealed which Indian cricketer is the hottest.

India and Australia are getting ready to face each other in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will be a five-match Test series in Australia. Perth Stadium will host the Test series opener from November 22. 

Travis Head is an important name for Australia for the upcoming home Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As a middle-order batter, he is struggling in Test cricket. He has to prove his ability in the upcoming home Test series against India.

Travis Head on the hottest Indian cricketer

Before the beginning of the Test series, Head chose the hottest Indian cricketer. While he also got the option of Shubman Gill from the interviewers, Head chose the Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The 30-year-old Aussie cricketer feels that Rohit is attractive physically as well as in cricket skills. 

Head said on 7Cricket, "I don't think he's that good-looking. Potentially [he's got some work to do]. I think there's been hotter. I like Rohit's work and I am happy with the Dad setup, I think he's got the most style out of all of them. He stands at the top, takes them on, double stepping blokes in the powerplay. Both [physical attractiveness and cricketing skills].

"I think people will [find him attractive]. Yeah, I just like the way he gets about it, Yeah, around the sheds. I am happy with it, I am happy with his setup. Jasprit, got some work to do. Maybe, after the Test matches [you pass that on]."

"So Rohit plays a pull shot and you're thinking ... 'that's a good looking man.'"

Somehow the conversation with Travis Head ended there, when the starting point was ... Jasprit Bumrah's bowling.@gradecricketer pic.twitter.com/FqocYbQxoQ

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 15, 2024

Travis Head has to prove his place in Test cricket

Head is ready to play his 50th Test match. In his 49 Tests, the left-handed batter scored 3173 runs with an average of 41.75. He has scored seven centuries and 16 half-centuries.  

When India toured Australia in the 2018/19 season, Head scored 237 runs in seven Test innings with an average of 33.85, including two half-centuries. During their last Test series in India in the 2022/23 season, Head scored 235 runs in six innings.