Mitchell Starc Shines as Australia Tightens Grip on Rain-Hit Day 3
AUS vs IND Day 3 Highlights: On a rain-affected Day 3 of the third Test at The Gabba, Australia took control over India. After Jasprit Bumrah’s six-wicket haul, India’s top-order faltered. They fell to the pace of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. By stumps, India found themselves in deep trouble at 51-4, chasing a mammoth 445-run total.
Bumrah’s Six-Wicket Haul Clears Australian Tail
India started well. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed overnight batter Mitchell Starc for 6 in the 5th over. Bumrah bowled a searing fifth-stump delivery. It drew Starc’s edge to slip, completing his six-wicket haul in style.
Australia’s Alex Carey, resuming at 45*, fought back. He reached his ninth Test half-century. Carey added a brisk 70 runs off 88 balls before being dismissed by Akash Deep, ending his defiant knock. Mohammed Siraj chipped in with the final wicket of Nathan Lyon to wrap up Australia’s innings at 445.
Starc Wreaks Havoc with the New Ball
Mitchell Starc wasted no time making an impact in India’s reply. On just the second ball of the innings, he dismissed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. He edged one after hitting a boundary on the first ball. Starc struck again soon after. He removed Shubman Gill with a blistering delivery. India now reeled at 6-2 after just 13 balls.
With the scoreboard favoring Australia, India had to stabilize their innings. The conditions were overcast.
Kohli and Pant Fall as Hazlewood and Cummins Strike
The under-fire Virat Kohli joined KL Rahul. But, he still struggled against Josh Hazlewood. Kohli fended off 15 balls. Then, he edged a catch to the slips off Hazlewood’s probing fourth-stump line for just 3 runs. Kohli’s off-stump troubles persisted. Hazlewood drew his nick again, as in their past duels.
India hoped to recover. But, Rishabh Pant edged a ball from Australian captain Pat Cummins to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Pant managed just 9 off 12 balls, leaving India in dire straits at 22-3.
Rohit and Rahul Hold Fort as Rain Interrupts Play
Amidst constant rain delays, India ended Day 3 at 51-4. KL Rahul (33* off 64) played a gritty knock to keep India afloat. Captain Rohit Sharma was unbeaten on 0*, facing a few balls before the weather ended play early.
India trails by 394 runs. They must work hard on Day 4 to avoid a huge first-innings lead for Australia.
Day 3 Summary
- Australia First Innings: 445 all out
- Alex Carey: 70 (88)
- Jasprit Bumrah: 6/76
- India First Innings (Stumps): 51-4 in 17 overs
- KL Rahul: 33* (64)
- Mitchell Starc: 2/25
