3rd Test: Cummins Strikes Again as India Faces Increasing Challenges, Trail by 397 Runs
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Brisbane, Dec 16 (NationPress) Captain Pat Cummins joined the ranks of wicket-takers by dismissing Rishabh Pant, leaving India in a precarious position on day two of the third Test at the Gabba on Monday.
As the rain halted play once more, the tea break was called with India struggling at 48/4 in 14.1 overs, now trailing Australia by 397 runs.
After an early lunch due to relentless rain, there were just eleven balls of play where Pant and KL Rahul focused on rotating the strike before the drizzle disrupted the game again. Following the rain delay, the duo managed to play for 4.3 overs before rain forced them off the field once more.
When play resumed, Rahul executed a beautiful drive off Cummins for four runs. However, Cummins quickly retaliated by angling a delivery across the stumps, leading Pant to edge the ball to Alex Carey for just nine runs.
This marked the third occasion Cummins dismissed Pant in this series, having previously not taken his wicket in Test matches. Rahul struck Starc through the covers for four runs but soon appeared disheartened as rain returned and the tea break was called.
With 246 runs required for India to avoid the follow-on, a significant portion of the pressure rests on Rahul, who remains not out on 30 and has displayed discipline, soft hands, and remarkable stroke play, alongside captain Rohit Sharma, to prevent the visitors from succumbing in this rain-affected Test.
Brief Scores: Australia 445 in 117.1 overs (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76, Mohammed Siraj 2-97) lead India 48/4 in 14.1 overs (KL Rahul 30 not out; Mitchell Starc 2-24) by 397 runs.
