Australia vs India, 3rd Test Match Summary

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 stands at a fascinating crossroads. After two Tests of contrasting fortunes, both cricket powerhouses find themselves locked in a 1-1 deadlock, setting the stage for a pivotal third encounter. The series has been a tale of two cities thus far. At Perth, India showcased their evolution as a touring force. But Australia, displaying their trademark resilience, rewrote the script at Adelaide. Their emphatic comeback not only leveled the series but also reignited the competitive fire that has long defined this prestigious rivalry. As the cricket caravan makes its way to Brisbane on Australia's eastern coast, the legendary Gabba stadium prepares to host another historic Test match. This venue, steeped in cricketing folklore, has seen its fortress breached only twice this millennium - first by India in that memorable January 2021 series finale, and more recently by West Indies' stunning triumph in January 2024. However, past glories must now give way to present challenges as both teams prepare for battle. India's primary concern lies with their underperforming batting lineup. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have shown their capabilities, and Nitish Kumar Reddy has made valuable contributions in his debut tour, the team has been plagued by unconverted starts. The recurring theme of batters falling in their 30s and 40s has proven costly in the Test arena. The spotlight falls particularly on India's two batting mainstays. Despite notching up a century, Virat Kohli's longing vulnerabilities with deliveries outside off-stump remains a big worry. Similarly, Rohit Sharma, who joined the series in the second Test, has yet to find his rhythm, his lean patch adding pressure on an already strained batting order. India didn’t tinker with its batting order and debates were up about whether Rohit should keep the opening spot and shuffle Rahul down the order. India's fortunes in this crucial match may well hinge on these veterans rediscovering their touch. The bowlers, however, have done the heavy lifting so far with Jasprit Bumrah being the torch-bearer. Mohammed Siraj just found his rhythm in Adelaide which might prove pivotal to partner Bumrah at Gabba. Harshit Rana, as impressive as he was in the opener as the third seamer, looked rusty and wayward in the second assignment. India still hasn’t utilized speedsters like Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, and one of these might be given an opportunity on the surface to assist with skiddy pace and bounce. Also, in a long series like this, Bumrah’s workload management remains a big worry for them. Another question - Will Jadeja get back in the mix? If yes, in whose place? ‘Head’ache. But that’s for the management. The Australian side on the flip side, views this match as a chance for vindication, eager to overcome their earlier defeat to India at this ground and claim the series advantage. While their openers have shown promise, they're yet to establish the desired consistency. Steven Smith's relatively quiet series has been a point of concern for the visitors. However, the middle order has emerged as a source of strength. Marnus Labuschagne has found his groove, though his contributions were somewhat eclipsed by Travis Head's game-changing innings. Head's aggressive batting proved to be the key differentiator between the teams. The pace attack has been equally impressive, with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland dismantling India's batting lineup. Starc continues to lead the wicket-takers list, while Cummins appears to have hit his stride. Boland has maintained his threatening presence throughout. Though Josh Hazlewood's return after an injury means Boland has been benched. Other than this one slight tweak, the Australians have stuck with their winning combination. The Gabba pitch offers something for everyone. Not distinctly favoring batters or bowlers, it provides true bounce and carry while historically yielding first-innings scores in excess of 320. A surface that rewards skill and patience from both facets. Beyond securing a 2-1 advantage, the victor of this Test will gain crucial psychological momentum as the series progresses. The match carries additional weight as both teams eye a coveted place for the 2023-25 World Test Championship finale. Everything is now in place for another compelling installment in this storied rivalry. Who will emerge victorious? We will find out together.