Ind vs Aus 3rd Test Day 5: Rain has final word as Gabba Test ends in draw

Rain clouds hover above the Gaba as rain interrupts the play on day five of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Bad weather at tea on the final day of the third Test between Australia and India ensured the match ended in a draw on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) in Brisbane.

Chasing 275 for an unlikely win, India were 8-0 when an early tea was called, but a huge storm sweeping over the Gabba saw play called off with no further action.

Earlier, Australia declared at 89 for seven with India to chase 275 runs on the final day of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Pat Cummins struck a cameo and perished to Bumrah with Australia 85 runs for seven, leading by 270 runs.

Mohammed Siraj dismissed Travis Head, who has been the biggest challenge with bat for India. Akash Deep scalped Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh, intensifying the bruise of early wickets for Australia.

Jasprit Bumrah struck when the game continued after an early lunch break on the final day of the third Test. Bumrah castled Usman Khawaja to take the first wicket of the innings with Australia on 11 runs. As the second wicket, Bumrah took Marnus Labuschagne as he edged and departed with Australia on 16 for two. Australia has a lead of 201 runs.

India lost the wicket of Akash, who along with Bumrah helped avoid follow-on. Akash was stumped off Head as India were all out for 260 and trailed by 185 runs.

Akash’s 31 included two fours and a six.

With lightning and thunderstorms around Gabba, the match was again delayed and the Australian openers McSweeney and Khawaja needed to wait to open their second innings.

Day 4 report

Earlier on Tuesday, Needing 246 to avoid the ignominy of batting again, the visitors were struggling at 213 for nine. While the rest were losing their nerve, Bumrah and Akash stayed calm. Singles were stolen, gaps were milked, the odd four was hit and as Pat Cummins kept swapping between bouncers and deliveries hovering around off-stump, India’s number 10 and 11 batter refused to budge.

Bumrah and Akash to help India avoid the follow-on during a grim Tuesday of rains and runs. At the fourth day’s close here at the Gabba, India finished with 252 for nine while trailing Australia’s 445.