As it Happened: Aus vs Ind 3rd Test, Gabba, Brisbane

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December 18, 11:00 AM IST

Rain has the final say in the game! The play has been called off, which means this match is now drawn.

India managed to escape the jail after being miles behind in the game at 74/5 in their first innings, and since then, they have also gained some positives along the way.

News from the ground:

Travis Head has suffered a groin injury, but in the post-match presentation, Head has indicated that he will fine before the next the match.

Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket for India.

December 18, 09:50 AM IST

Australia declare their second innings at 89/7, setting India a target of 275 runs in a maximum of 54 overs.

December 18, 05:50 AM IST

India end their first innings at 260!

Weather forecast for the 5th Day

Government of Australia: 80% chances of rain, thunderstorms predicted

Accuweather: 90% chances of rain, thunderstorms predicted

Weather.com: 98% chances of rain, thunderstorms predicted

December 17, 01:25 PM IST

Stumps on Day 4! On another start-stop day of Test cricket, the most interesting part of the game came in the last half an hour of today's play. India were 9 down and they needed another 33 runs to avoid a follow-on. Bumrah and Akash Deep were at the crease. They applied themselves to perfection and in all likelihood, have secured a draw in this test.

Earlier, KL Rahul played a gritty 84-run innings to hold one end up and take India out of deep waters at 74/5. He was dropped on the first ball of the day but later dismissed off a stunning catch by the same fielder, Steve Smith. India also benefitted from the Ravindra Jadeja selection. He scored 77 partnering with KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy and then the tail-enders.

For Australia, Cummins looked like a man on a mission - taking a 4-fer. But Australia would be worrying about the dressing room news. Hazlewood has been ruled out from the remaining part of the series with a calf injury, and both Cummins and Starc have been bowling a lot of overs for them.

At the end of Day 4, India are 252/9, trailing by 193 runs.

Weather forecast for the 4th Day

Government of Australia: 90% chances of rain

Accuweather: 100% chances of rain

Weather.com: 67% chances of rain

December 16, 01:15 PM IST

Stumps on Day 3! We had several 2-over spells of game in the middle of the rain today, and India lost wickets on most of them. They are 51/4 after losing Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, at 33 not out, is the only man till now to register a double-digit score.

With two days still left in the game, this match is reduced to only two possible results — a draw or an Australia win. Looking at the weather forecast though, a draw seems to be the most likely result.

December 16, 09:15 AM IST

Play has resumed!

December 16, 08:36 AM IST

Another rain interruption at the Gabba. India are 27/3 in the post-lunch session.

December 16, 07:50 AM IST

Lunch on Day 3 at Gabba! Australia added 40 more to their overnight score and finished with 445 in their first innings. Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101, and Alex Carey 70 were the highlights, along with Jasprit Bumrah's 6/76.

A couple of rain stops later, India began their first innings, only to find themselves stuttering at 22/3. Jaiswal flicked one to mid-wicket, Gill got caught in the gully, and Kohli nicked another one outside-off. India will need a miracle and a half from here to avoid being bowled out cheaply for two more innings.

Weather Forecast for 3rd day

Government of Australia: 90% chances of rain

Accuweather: 90% chances of rain

Weather.com: 94% chances of rain

December 15, 01:30 PM IST

End of day 2's play at the Gabba! Australia pulled the dominating card in the second and third sessions and dismantled India's bowling attack, ending the day at 405/7 — only Bumrah withstood the challenge with his 5/72. Travis Head, defying the law of averages, notched up yet another misery on India with his 152-run inning! Steve Smith too, looked determined riding on the captain and management's backing to score his 33rd century. They both together stitched a mammoth, potentially a match-winning, 241-run partnership.

With 3 days still left in the game, weather permitting, India are staring down the barrel already. They have a lot of concerns that need rectifying sooner rather than later.

We will be back for the third day's coverage tomorrow morning at 05:50 am IST! Do join us!

December 15, 07:57 AM IST

Lunch on Day 2! Australia 104/3.

A shared session as Australia managed to add 76 runs and India picked up the 3 top-order wickets. Smith and Head are at the crease but India haven't given anything away with the ball despite each batter's intent. All the bowlers have gone for under 3 runs an over and the contest is expected to continue post-lunch.

Read team previews, pitch conditions, player forms, and more for the third test.

Weather Forecast for Sunday

Little to no rain is predicted in Brisbane on Sunday, though gentle showers may pass through.

December 14, 12:00 PM IST

Stumps on Day 1! Not a lot to write as the opening day of the much-anticipated test match was reduced to just 13.2 overs due to persistent rain at the Gabba. Play resumed briefly after the initial break but not for long. Australia, in their brief stay, have looked comfortable as they are 28 for no loss.

Join us back tomorrow morning for more updates!

December 14, 06:45 AM IST

Play resumes!

December 14, 06:19 AM IST

Rain stops play! Australia are 19/0 after 5.3 overs.

December 14, 05:40 AM IST

The conditions are overcast at The Gabba — a good toss to win for India.

December 14, 05:30 AM IST

India have won the toss and have opted to field first!

They have made two changes: Ravindra Jadeja comes in for Ashwin, and Akash Deep replaces Harshit Rana in the XI.

Teams

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(wk), Rohit Sharma(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

December 13, 11:30 PM IST

Virat Kohli, following up with his pre-series training, has looked good in the practice before the third test.

Steve Smith has received a strong backing from his captain and management group. This could instill the required positivity in him.

Josh Hazlewood is fit and back in Australia's playing XI. Scott Boland makes way.

Squads

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott