Rain-hit third Australia-India Test ends in draw

Bad weather on the final day of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane led to an early tea and the eventual abandonment of play, resulting in a draw.

Chasing a challenging target of 275 for victory, India were 8-0 when an early tea was called due to bad light.

The match was further disrupted by a powerful storm that swept across the Gabba, forcing the umpires to call off play with no further action taking place.

The game, which had seen frequent rain interruptions, appeared destined for a draw after India successfully avoided the follow-on on Tuesday.

Despite this, Australia showed aggressive intent in their second innings, creating a brief window of opportunity to bowl India out and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Australia, who had already lost much of the morning session, began their second innings after lunch with an attacking mindset. However, their plans were quickly disrupted as key batsmen fell. Openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, along with Marnus Labuschagne, were dismissed early.

Khawaja, who was celebrating his 38th birthday, was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah off an inside edge. Labuschagne followed soon after, caught behind off a wide delivery from Bumrah. McSweeney then edged to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off Akash Deep, leaving Australia struggling at 16-3.

The collapse continued as Mitchell Marsh, promoted to number four, also edged to Pant, leaving Australia at 28-4. Steve Smith was dismissed for four, caught behind off Siraj, and Travis Head fell for 17 after a wild slog shot resulted in another top edge.

Pat Cummins, who played a brief cameo scoring 22 runs off 10 balls, was dismissed while attempting a pull shot, leaving Australia at 89-7 before declaring.

Earlier, India resumed on 252-9 in their second innings, still trailing Australia’s first-innings score of 445. A 10th-wicket partnership between Bumrah and Deep late on Tuesday helped India avoid the follow-on.

India were eventually dismissed for 260 four overs into the first session when Deep was stumped by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off part-time spinner Travis Head.

The final-day interruptions meant there was no chance for a result other than a draw, leaving the series still finely poised at 1-1 heading into the fourth Test on dec. 26.