The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at Brisbane’s Gabba ended in a rain-affected draw, leaving the five-match series tied at 1-1 with two games to go. Persistent rain throughout the final day halted play, with India at 8 runs without loss in their chase of a 275-run target when the match was called off.
India’s second innings was wrapped up for 260 runs earlier, narrowly avoiding a follow-on thanks to a resilient last-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Akash Deep. Australia, batting first, posted a formidable 445 in their first innings. Winning the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma had elected to field, a decision that set the tone for a rain-marred match.
Post-match, Rohit Sharma reflected on the result and highlighted the team’s morale heading into the next Test in Melbourne. “We’ll take this result. Of course, interruptions like these aren’t ideal, but heading to Melbourne with the series level at 1-1 gives us confidence to pull things our way,” said Sharma. He commended key contributions from Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Akash Deep, and Bumrah, emphasizing their hard work. “We’ve seen Bumrah and Akash Deep working tirelessly in the nets on their batting. Watching them step up when needed was inspiring. Their dedication is unmatched, and players like them strengthen the group dynamic.”
Rohit also acknowledged the challenges posed by the rain and how it affected their strategy. “On Day 4 after lunch, we needed someone to stand tall and take us to victory, but we were aware that weather wouldn’t let us complete the full game,” he added. Sharma praised Bumrah’s bowling excellence and recognized Akash Deep’s promising start in international cricket, saying, “He’s new but determined, and our group is here to support his growth.”
With the series tied, both teams now turn their focus to the fourth Test in Melbourne, which promises to be crucial in deciding the series winner.
