AUS vs IND, 3rd Test in Brisbane: Complete guide, pitch conditions and India timings
India are set to face Australia in the third Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane, starting on Saturday, December 14.
The series is evenly poised at 1-1, with Australia bouncing back in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide after India delivered the first blow in the series opener in Perth. India will return to the scene of their historic 2021 victory — the Gabba. The Asian giants famously breached what was considered Australia’s fortress, becoming the first visiting team to win a Test match in Brisbane in 33 years. India achieved this remarkable feat despite facing significant challenges, as they were without several first-choice players, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R. Ashwin, and Mohammed Shami.
However, past glory holds little weight in the present context. While India appeared dominant after a commanding 295-run victory in Perth, Australia struck back emphatically in Adelaide, defeating India by 10 wickets.
Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, speaking to the press on Thursday, emphasised that the hosts are not dwelling on the events of the Gabba three years ago but are instead focused on the task at hand.
“The biggest thing for us is focussing on this week and not (any) more time on the past. The way we bounced back from Perth (defeat) was an example of that. So we are really focussed on playing our style this week,” Marsh said.
HOW HAVE INDIA PERFORMED IN BRISBANE?
India have played seven Tests at the Gabba since their first match at the venue in 1947. The visitors have won one, drawn one and lost five. The draw came in 2003 when Sourav Ganguly hit a majestic 144 in India’s first innings in a Test that had an entire day washed out due to rain.
WHAT IS AUSTRALIA’S RECORD IN BRISBANE?
The Gabba has been one of Australia’s most successful Test venues. Between 1988 and 2021, Australia were unbeaten at the venue. However, since losing to India, Australia have lost one more — a pink-ball Test against the West Indies in January 2024.
However, it is to be noted that both of Australia’s defeats at the Gabba since the start of the 21st century have come in Test matches that were held post-Christmas when the pitches were more settled and lacked the trademark pace and bounce that the venue is known for.
The live-streaming of the 3rd Test will be available on HotStar.
Star Sports will provide the live TV coverage of the match.
SESSION TIMINGS (IST) FOR BRISBANE TEST
Toss on Day 1 at 5:20 am IST
Start of Play: 5:50 am IST
First session: 5:50 am IST to 7:50 am IST
Lunch break: 7:50 am IST to 8:30 am IST
Second session: 8:30 am IST to 10:30 am IST
Tea break: 10:30 am IST to 10:50 am IST
Final session: 10:50 am IST to 12:50 pm IST
A day’s play can be extended by 30 minutes at the end to complete the allocated overs.
HOW ARE THE TWO TEAMS SHAPING UP FOR BRISBANE?
Australia have been bolstered by Josh Hazlewood’s recovery from side strain. The seasoned campaigner, who took a five-wicket haul in Perth, is expected to replace Scott Boland as the only change to their winning combination.
While there are no more injury concerns, Australia will want Steve Smith to return to form. The former World No. 1, who averages over 50 at the Gabba, has managed just 19 runs in three innings in the series so far.
Usman Khawaja’s lack of big runs is also a cause for concern. The left-handed opener, known for his solidity, has scored only 35 runs across four innings.
On the contrary, Marnus Labuschagne showed glimpses of returning to form in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, hitting a crucial 62 in the first innings. Opener Nathan McSweeney, who failed in both the innings of his debut Test in Perth, also looked more comfortable in Adelaide.
IS BUMRAH FIT FOR GABBA?
Meanwhile, India have multiple headaches to deal with ahead of the third Test. In a big relief to the Indian camp, Jasprit Bumrah overcame the much-talked-about injury scare to bowl full tilt in Thursday’s practice session.
Bumrah’s fitness will be key to India’s chances of fighting back in the Test series.
Captain Rohit Sharma’s form has been a huge cause for concern for the visiting side. The skipper batted at No. 6 and managed just 9 runs in Adelaide. It remains to be seen if Rohit would continue batting at No. 6 or return to the top of the order. Several pundits, including Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri, have urged Rohit to open the batting again and throw the first punch at the Australians.
While the batting unit might not see changes, India would want to tweak their bowling unit, according to the conditions. If the pitch offers pace and bounce, India might be tempted to play four full-time pacers, which will also help Bumrah if he is not 100 percent.
India might also look at bringing back Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja in place of R Ashwin, who did not impress much in Adelaide. Ashwin’s inability to step up with the bat might also work against him.
HOW IS THE GABBA PITCH EXPECTED TO BEHAVE?
If early signs are anything to go by, there will be a considerable amount of grass left on the pitch. On Thursday, two days ahead of the start of the game, the pitch had a healthy covering of grass.
With rain expected in the lead-up to the Test and on the first two days, the wet build-up might also work in the favour of fast bowlers.
Since it’s the early half of the Australian summer, the pre-Christmas Test in Brisbane is expected to offer more pace and bounce. India played on a pitch that got better and better for batting in 2021, and it’s unlikely to be the case this time.
“Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them,” Gabba curator David Sandurski said.
WHAT ARE THE SQUADS FOR THE GABBA TEST?
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
STAT PACK: GABBA NUMBERS FROM INDIA VS AUSTRALIA
Highest total Australia: 505 (second innings) in 2014
Highest total India: 409 (second innings) in 2003
Highest score Australia: Don Bradman – 185 in 1947
Highest score India: Sourav Ganguly – 144 in 2003
Best bowling figures India: Erapalli Prasanna — 6 for 104 in 1968
Best bowling figures Australia: Ernest Toshack – 6 for 29 in 1947
PREDICTION FOR THE GABBA TEST: India haven’t lost a Test match played with the red ball in
Australia since the Perth Test in 2018. Expect India to bounce back hard, but Australia will hold the edge on a pacey pitch in Brisbane in the early half of the Australian summer.