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December 22, 2024
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4th Day of the 3rd Test Between India and Australia at Brisbane: A Gritty Display
The fourth day of the third Test match at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane was a testament to the resilience and grit of the Indian cricket team, despite the persistent challenges posed by both weather and a formidable Australian bowling attack.
The day began under the shadow of the Brisbane weather, with rain having already curtailed much of the play in the previous days. The match was further disrupted by showers and bad light, leading to multiple stoppages. Despite these interruptions, when play was possible, the action on the pitch was nothing short of gripping.
India started the day with a significant task ahead – to avoid the follow-on. They were behind by a considerable margin after Australia had posted 445 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith. The Indian batting line-up was under pressure, with the score line reading 51/4 at the start of the day, trailing by 394 runs.
Key Performances
Ravindra Jadeja was the star of India, playing a crucial innings to help India cross the follow-on threshold. His half-century was a blend of patience and aggression, adapting to the conditions and the Australian. He finished unbeaten, showcasing his vital role in the team’s batting lineup.
KL Rahul also played a significant knock, contributing 84 runs before being dismissed by a stunning catch from Steve Smith. His innings was crucial in providing stability and runs when they were most needed.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep showed commendable spirit at the tail end. Their partnership of 39 runs was not just about survival but also about scoring crucial runs to avoid the follow-on, which they successfully did.
Despite the conditions, Australia’s bowlers, particularly Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, kept the pressure on. Cummins was relentless, picking up key wickets, while Starc made early inroads into the Indian batting order. However, the Indian lower order’s resilience meant Australia couldn’t enforce the follow-on, which had seemed likely at the start of the day.
The Brisbane weather forecast had predicted more rain, and it played a significant role in the day’s proceedings. Several sessions were interrupted, and play was often halted due to drizzle or poor light, which added a layer of unpredictability to the match. This weather pattern has been a hallmark of this Test, with only a limited number of overs possible each day.
As the light faded, play was called off due to bad light, with India at 252/9, still trailing by 193 runs. The day ended with India managing to avoid the follow-on, which opened up possibilities for a draw or even an unlikely victory if the weather permitted enough play on the final day.
With one more day left and weather forecasts still ominous, the fifth day promises to be a tense affair. Australia would aim to wrap up the Indian innings swiftly and set a target if possible, while India would look to bat out time or set up a scenario where they could chase a small total.
The third Test at the Gabba has thus far been a showcase of cricketing skills under pressure, with both teams having moments of brilliance marred by the capricious weather. The final day could go either way, but one thing is certain – it will be a battle to the last ball.