India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 5 ends in Draw

On December 18, 2024, a day of torrential rain, collapsing wickets, and tentative runs brought some pulsing drama to a battle that eventually ended in a tie. The fifth and final day of the third Test ended early due to rain, which forced a hasty covering of the ground at the Gabba.

Pursuing 275 in the second innings for a stunning victory, India began cautiously, even though Yashasvi Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul were alert to fast singles. Just when the score reached eight for no loss, heavy clouds rolled in, and the players retired to the pavilion, never to be seen again.

Before the hosts declared their innings at 89, India lost their final wicket on the fifth day and then took seven of Australia’s wickets. India was assigned a goal of 275 to win the game, and they reached 8/0 before the play was stopped thanks to four runs apiece from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. As both sides aim to gain an advantage in the forthcoming Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne, the five-match series is now tied at one.

Australia controlled the first four days after levelling the series in Adelaide, but they were still in danger when Steve Smith became the fifth wicket to fall, leaving the advantage at 218.
Earlier, Bumrah bowled Usman Khawaja for eight with a slicing Marnus Labuschagne falls behind for one. He is currently India’s most wicket-taker in Australia, with 53 from ten Tests, 21 of which came in this series. Labuschagne, meanwhile, has scored 18 runs in four innings, including a 64 in the second Test. Nathan McSweeney’s shaky start to international cricket continues with an under edge off Deep for four. Mitchell Marsh, who had been elevated to number four to assist raise the scoring rate, was also caught behind for two runs.

In the little time available on the last day, the Indian speed three of Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj suffered an early defeat. Australia declared their second innings at 89/7, giving India a 275-run mark. The Australian second innings began following a protracted rain delay, with the pacers making inroads from the start. Bumrah cleaned up Usman Khawaja for 8, and then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 1. Akash Deep then joined the party and removed Nathan McSweeney, reducing the hosts to 16/3. He then dismissed Mitchell Marsh, and Mohammed Siraj removed Steve Smith and Travis Head.

Pat Cummins and Alex Carey scored swiftly, extending Australia’s advantage over 270. The Australian captain went for 22 off ten balls. Earlier, Head made the ultimate inroad, folding India for 260 and giving the hosts a 185-run advantage. Akash Deep was the last batsman to be removed on 31. He and Bumrah had begun play from their overnight score of 252/9. Australia scored 445 runs in the first innings after Rohit requested them to play. In response, India got off to a sluggish start, but heroic efforts from KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, and Akash Deep enabled them avoid the follow-on.

Pat Cummins: “How the guys played, 450-odd was a good total. Yeah it does, poor Joshy. It’s one of those things. Maybe the few rain breaks helped us a little bit but it’s one of those things when you’re trying to win a Test match, whatever it takes. Particularly when the ball was hard, it was quite a handful. Smithy and Trav’s innings were fantastic. Carey as well. Nath looked really good yesterday, Starcy got a lot of wickets.”

Rohit Sharma: “Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn’t great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 is great and gives confidence that we can go to Melbourne and pull something off there. The situation were in just after lunch, we wanted someone to stand up and take the game through. Keeping in mind the weather, we knew it wasn’t going to be a full gajne, so credit to Jadeja, and not to forget Rahul at the top as well. And it was great to watch these guys to go out there and do their thing. And with the ball we were very good, especially Bumrah. Akash is a feisty character, he has superb talent. He is new to international cricket, but games like this can teach him so many things. And there are a couple of guys in the group who can put their arms around him and help him.”

Travis Head, player of the match: “Challenging wicket. I had to work through the gears. I had different plans, pleased I could get through those. Good partnership with Smit. I just try to sum up the conditions well. What I’ve done well this series is assess the conditions. Pleased with the tempo I’ve batted with. Pretty relaxed communication. Felt like he was back in his rhythm, and he gives me full freedom and confidence knowing he’s going to be there for a long while. I feel like I am playing the situation in front of me. Very pleased with the way I am batting at the moment.”