🏏Australia vs India, 3rd Test: Brisbane, 14 - 18 Dec 2024, Day 5 🏏 - Page 3

Once Australian cricket’s unbreachable stronghold, three years on from India’s epochal besiegement, The Gabba is now an embattled ruin that the home side is desperate to reclaim. Just a few years ago, an Australian team arriving at The Gabba would have found comfort and confidence but now, having lost 2 of the last 4 Tests here, they must be careful to not let the recent past haunt them and invoke a sense of trepidation. On the other hand, India’s historic triumph here and its aftermath are well recorded and it’ll invariably stir up some zest in the visitor's camp. With the series poised at 1-1, contrasting psyches induced by the venue and the occasion could have a decisive impact. Australia were far from their best in Perth and India so at Adelaide. Both sides will know the importance of bringing their A game to the fore in this one because the team that claims a win here will hold the upper hand for the rest of the series.

Once Australian cricket’s unbreachable stronghold, three years on from India’s epochal besiegement, The Gabba is now an embattled ruin that the home side is desperate to reclaim. Just a few years ago, an Australian team arriving at The Gabba would have found comfort and confidence but now, having lost 2 of the last 4 Tests here, they must be careful to not let the recent past haunt them and invoke a sense of trepidation. On the other hand, India’s historic triumph here and its aftermath are well recorded and it’ll invariably stir up some zest in the visitor's camp. With the series poised at 1-1, contrasting psyches induced by the venue and the occasion could have a decisive impact. Australia were far from their best in Perth and India so at Adelaide. Both sides will know the importance of bringing their A game to the fore in this one because the team that claims a win here will hold the upper hand for the rest of the series.

It’s hard to argue that either side has completely got their act together so far. With a new opener in McSweeney and the idiosyncratic Labuschagne-Smith duo in dreadful form, the fragility of Australia’s batting order was evident at Perth. While Labuschange turned it around with a gritty 64 and McSweeney grinded it out at the top to get a 30-odd in his belt, neither really made a strong enough statement all while Smith continued to look muddled. While their fast-bowling trio were fantastic, Nathan Lyon, who had a poor game in Perth, bowled just one over at Adelaide and with whispers of injury never too far away from Mitch Marsh, Australia will be wary of their bowling resources - particularly with Hazlewood returning from injury as well.

As for India, batting collapses are becoming far too frequent for anybody’s liking. The opening pair looked relatively solid in both games and they’re unlikely to be disturbed. The concerns for India, however, lie quite clearly in the middle order - particularly in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In moving down the order, Rohit Sharma became the latest addition to an already large list of batters that’ve manned India’s middle order in the past year and he’ll be hoping that he can turn his fortunes around. While Virat Kohli did get a hundred at Perth, he’s largely been a shadow of his former self. Runs have started to evade the two veterans and they’ll know the impact their contributions or lack thereof will have on the rest of the team. India’s potency with the ball cannot be faulted. The greatest challenge for the bowling group will be to keep the intensity up as this long series goes on. Bumrah was by far and away the standout for India in both games but his brief injury scare in the previous game will mean that they’ll be wary of his workload.

The toss will bat 9.50am local time. For those who need the local session times to plan their day: 10.20am-12.20pm - First session, 1pm-3pm - Second session, 3.20pm-5.20pm (5.50pm cut-off if there is no rain) Third session.

"Overcast, green pitch. So whoever wins the toss will bowl first? Both teams would want to win the toss..." It might not be a bad toss to lose actually Sid. The last two teams to win the toss here have bowled first and won the game. But the previous five games before that, the team winning the toss has chosen to bat and all five lost.

India's love affair with this place is only recent. But 2021 will forever be a special moment. Nagraj Gollapudi spoke to Shardul Thakur, Cheteshwar Pujara, Vikram Rathour, Sridharan Sriram and Rishabh Pant about that match.

Gnasher again: "Appears that Akash Deep is marking out his run. R Ashwin having a close look at the pitch."

Josh Hazlewood has been passed fit and he will replace Scott Boland. Pat Cummins confirmed yesterday that it's the only change for Australia.

Steve Smith's form has been a talking point in the lead-up to the Gabba. Gnasher looked into Smith's recent form.

Vishal: "1-1 to both teams and 3 tests to go. This test series is deliciously poised. Feel like the wicket and the weather might play a big part at the Gabba. It might not be a bad toss to lose, honestly. Winner here takes a huge step in winning this series. Can't wait for this one to get started."