Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane turned out to be a frustrating affair for both teams, as rain played spoilsport and only 13.2 overs were bowled on the opening day. The match was delayed by persistent showers, and after several interruptions, the umpires, in consultation with the ground staff, decided to call off play at 11:45 IST (16:15 local time). Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to make the most of the overcast conditions and the fresh ball. However, despite the best efforts of India’s pace attack—led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep—the weather severely limited the playtime.
Australia’s openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, showed resilience in the face of India’s potent bowling attack. The duo managed to frustrate India’s bowlers, and at the end of the limited play, Australia would have been the happier side, having navigated the early onslaught without losing a wicket. The last spell of rain began at 07:21 IST (11:51 local time), and with no sign of respite, the day was officially abandoned. The curtailed play left both teams wondering about what might have been on a day that started with so much promise.
As for Day 2, the weather forecast is more optimistic, although the threat of rain will still hang in the air. Conditions are expected to improve, but occasional showers in the morning could disrupt play again. Temperatures are forecast to remain around 31°C, which, combined with the humid atmosphere, will create challenging playing conditions. The overcast skies are likely to favor fast bowlers, ensuring they remain in the game, as they could extract more movement from the pitch and the air. Furthermore, the area is under a minor flood warning from Saturday 21:26 IST to Monday 00:26 IST, signaling that the weather will continue to be unpredictable, with intermittent showers possible throughout the day.
To compensate for the lost overs, the schedule will be adjusted, with play starting earlier at 5:20 AM IST (9:50 AM local time). To make up for the rain-affected first day, 98 overs will be bowled each day for the remaining days of the Test, ensuring that the match can still be completed within the five-day window. With more overs to be bowled, both teams will be keen to seize any opportunity presented by the conditions.
For India, Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep will be looking to provide early breakthroughs and make inroads into the Australian batting lineup. Their challenge will be to exploit the humid, overcast conditions effectively, keeping the pressure on Khawaja and McSweeney, who will aim to continue their solid opening stand. Australia will be hoping to build a strong foundation with a solid partnership from their openers, allowing the middle order to come in and take control once the bowlers have tired.
The Gabba has historically been a happy hunting ground for Australia, who have boasted an impressive record here, although they have suffered a couple of unexpected losses in the past two years. The last two years have seen some chinks in their armor, making them vulnerable. India, on the other hand, will have fond memories of their historic victory here in January 2021, when they defied all odds to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India’s strong performance at this venue in recent years has given them confidence, and they will be determined to replicate that triumph and make the most of the favorable conditions on offer.
As the Test progresses, the battle between India’s pace attack and Australia’s opening pair of Khawaja and McSweeney will be key. The performance of the fast bowlers, aided by the weather, could prove crucial in shaping the outcome of the match. The delayed start has only added to the anticipation, and the remaining days are expected to deliver exciting cricket. Fans will be hoping that the weather plays its part and allows the two teams to showcase their skills in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
