India's 'Gabba Ghamand' intact amidst incessant rain as third Test ends in a draw, WTC final chances remain alive

The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 ended in a draw as incessant rain played spoilsport at The Gabba, Brisbane. Australia suffered a batting collapse in an attempt to score quickly on Day 5 and declared after posting 89/7 and setting a target of 275. However, rain interrupted early into India's run chase and captains shook hands with a few hours to go in the day's play. 

Jasprit Bumrah was India's star of the Test after Travis Head and Steve Smith's centuries in the first innings. After a six-wicket haul, Bumrah took three wickets in the second innings. He broke Kapil Dev's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in Australia. 

However, The Brisbane Test had a bittersweet ending as Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in the post-match press conference. The pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval was his last appearance in international cricket.

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Earlier in Day 5, Head dismissed Akash Deep to bowl out India for 260. Deep scored 31 runs from 44 balls whereas Bumrah remained not out for 10 off 38 balls. Australia took an 185-run lead after the first innings.

After rain delayed Australia's second innings, the hosts suffered a collapse. Bumrah struck twice with the new ball dismissing Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Then, Deep got rid of Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh for single-digit scores. Steve Smith could not do much either and fell to Mohammed Siraj. Australia lost five wickets for 33 runs from 11 overs.

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Head and Alex Carey hit a few boundaries to get the score past 50. Siraj got one up against Head as the in-form batter played a rash shot to lose his wicket. Cummins walked out to bat and hit two sixes, two fours in his 10-ball 22. Bumrah ended his cameo in the 18th over. Carey remained unbeaten for a run-a-ball 20 as Australia posted 89/7 and set a target of 275.

What happened on first four days?

Rohit won the toss and opted to bowl first. India got rid of the top-order early but Smith and Head's 241-run partnership pushed the tourists on the back foot. Head scored 152 whereas Smith departed after scoring 101 runs. Carey's 70-run knock helped Australia post 445 despite Bumrah's six-wicket haul. In reply, India suffered a collapse. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja's half-centuries followed by Bumrah and Deep's crucial 10-wicket partnership helped India post 260 and avoid follow-on.