Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood dismantle India’s top order as rain disrupts play; India trails by 423 runs in the third Test.
Brisbane [Australia], December 16: Australia’s relentless pace attack exposed India’s batting vulnerabilities on a rain-interrupted Day 3 of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At lunch, India was reeling at 22/3, trailing by 423 runs, with KL Rahul holding firm at 13* off 24 balls.
The day began with Australia resuming their innings, but Jasprit Bumrah provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Mitchell Starc in the opening hour. Starc, who had earlier smashed a slog-sweep off Ravindra Jadeja into the stands, fell to Bumrah’s clever bowling. The left-hander’s attempt to push at a delivery resulted in an edge, comfortably caught by Rishabh Pant.
Nathan Lyon held the crease briefly before Mohammed Siraj breached his defence, clean-bowling him to hit middle stump. Australia’s final wicket fell when Alex Carey attempted to go after Akash Deep but mistimed his shot, bringing their innings to a close at 445.
In response, India’s batting woes continued under overcast skies as Mitchell Starc led Australia’s pace charge. The left-armer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) early, inducing a mistimed chip that landed straight into Mitchell Marsh’s hands. Shubman Gill (1) soon followed, caught brilliantly by Marsh after edging another Starc delivery.
Josh Hazlewood joined the party, dismissing Virat Kohli (3) with a tempting delivery outside off stump that the Indian skipper nicked to the wicketkeeper. With India’s top order in tatters, KL Rahul appeared the only batter showing resistance before rain forced an early lunch.
Brief Scores:
Australia 445 (Travis Head 152, Steven Smith 151; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76) vs India 22/3 (KL Rahul 13; Mitchell Starc 2-11).*
