The much-anticipated third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia got off to a frustrating start as persistent rain severely curtailed play on Day 1 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Only 13.2 overs were possible before the weather intervened, leaving Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney unbeaten on 28/0.
Play was first interrupted around 10:45 AM local time (06:15 IST), shortly after India opted to bowl under overcast conditions. While a brief resumption offered hope, a heavier downpour an hour later forced the groundstaff to abandon efforts to prepare the field for further action. As a result, over two-and-a-half sessions were lost.
Early Play Summary
In the limited action on Day 1, Khawaja looked confident, stroking three boundaries in his composed 19* off 47 deliveries. His partner McSweeney was circumspect, scoring just four runs off 33 balls. Despite favorable conditions, Indian seamers struggled for consistency, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj unable to extract the expected movement.
Akash Deep, making his Test debut in place of Harshit Rana, provided a rare bright spot for India. The debutant displayed exceptional control, delivering two maiden overs and conceding just two runs in his 3.2-over spell. His disciplined approach with the red ball stood out amid an otherwise lackluster showing from the Indian attack.
Rohit Sharma’s Tactical Move
Electing to bowl first, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma cited the soft surface, grass cover, and overcast conditions as key factors in his decision. “We’re going to bowl first. A little bit overcast and a little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well—we want to make the best use of the conditions,” Rohit explained at the toss.
The Indian captain acknowledged the high stakes, saying, “Lots of cricket to be played. Both teams have played good cricket in the last two games. Big game for us here, and we’ll do what is expected of us.”
Adjusted Schedule for Day 2
To compensate for lost time, Day 2 will begin 30 minutes early, with a maximum of 98 overs scheduled. Early starts are also expected on subsequent days to recover additional overs lost to rain.
As the series hangs in the balance, the weather’s unpredictable role at the Gabba adds yet another layer of intrigue to the Test match. With both teams eager to seize control, all eyes will be on Brisbane’s skies and the contest between bat and ball on Day 2.