AUS vs IND 3rd TEST: A torrential downpour at the Gabba in Brisbane reduced Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia to just 14.2 overs of play. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India saw limited action on Saturday, with Australia finishing the rain-affected day at 28/0. The hosts’ openers, Usman Khawaja (19*) and Nathan McSweeney (4*), managed to weather the new-ball attack from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the brief window of play.

A drizzle halted proceedings in the sixth over, but it was the second wave of heavy rain that forced an early end to the day’s play. Despite promises from the pitch curator that the Gabba would serve up its trademark pace, bounce, and carry, the weather robbed fans of what could have been an intriguing contest.

Gabba Woes Loom for Australia

The Gabba, once Australia’s fortress, has become a mixed bag in recent years. Earlier this year, the West Indies stunned the hosts at this very venue, adding to the memories of India’s historic chase in 2021. With those scars still fresh, the visitors will look to capitalize on a curtailed opening day to gain an early foothold in the match.

Indian Batting Shuffle in Focus

India’s batting lineup is expected to undergo significant changes following Rohit Sharma’s struggles at No. 6 during the Adelaide Test. To maximize his natural flair, Rohit is likely to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill is expected to take the No. 3 spot, with Virat Kohli slotting in at No. 4 and KL Rahul dropping down to No. 5. This reshuffle could prove pivotal in tackling Australia’s fiery pace attack.

Teams

Australia

• 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

• 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

AUS vs IND 3rd TEST: Full Scorecard

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