India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 2 Live Score: In a breathtaking display, Travis Head unleashed a counter-attacking century, intensifying the pressure on India once more in this riveting series. The audacious batter relentlessly punished the Indian bowlers, racing to triple digits for the second consecutive innings. Not to be overshadowed, Steve Smith rediscovered his form with a polished half-century, propelling Australia into a commanding position.
The narrative evolved on Day 2 when India managed to pin Australia down to 104 for 3 by lunchtime. A slight hitch, however, arose as Mohammed Siraj was compelled to exit the field after just two deliveries in his 11th over, suffering from discomfort in his left leg. Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah had claimed vital early wickets, dismissing the Australian openers with aplomb. The left-handed Usman Khawaja was sent packing for 21, while Nathan McSweeney followed shortly, adding just 9 runs to the score. In a critical blow for Australia, Nitish Kumar Reddy orchestrated the departure of Marnus Labuschagne, who fell for a mere 12 runs.
As the highly-anticipated contest unfolded at the Gabba for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, ominous clouds loomed, leading to a dismal start. Only 80 deliveries graced the pitch on the morning of the Brisbane Test before the weather intervened, forcing a premature cessation of play. Both teams, knowing the stakes—determining both the series’ outcome and the World Test Championship—faced the grim reality of interrupted play. Yet, within the corners of their minds, both squads held hope; the series had been a whirlwind, promising electrifying cricket even within condensed timeframes.
The first day’s drama ignited right at the toss, where Rohit Sharma’s fortuitous call to bowl first raised eyebrows. The Gabba pitch, typically a hitter’s dream that curls into a bowler’s terrain as days progress, left many speculating. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, mirrored Sharma’s sentiment, hinting that he too would have opted to field, suggesting underlying strategies thriving on overcast conditions and pitch moisture.
However, India couldn’t capitalize on the conducive conditions. The ball, rather disappointingly, failed to deviate as much as anticipated. Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, surprisingly untroubled against the new cherry, soldiered through 13.2 overs seemingly unscathed. India’s attack lacked the potency one would expect, falling into the trap of underwhelming lengths. A silver lining appeared with Jasprit Bumrah, though recovering from earlier troubles, showing some promise with his revitalized speed—yet he fell short of the menace displayed in Perth.
India entered the fray at the Gabba with strategic modifications: Akash Deep was included for Harshit Rana, aiming to exploit his hard-length delivery skills better suited to the pitch’s nuances. In a distinct change, Ravindra Jadeja replaced Ravichandran Ashwin, introducing a left-arm spin option into the mix. Jadeja’s all-round capabilities may provide India with an edge, potentially augmenting their batting strength while offering a fresh angle of attack.
On the Australian side, continuity defined their approach, as Josh Hazlewood returned, supplanting Scott Boland. Despite a conservative start, Khawaja and McSweeney prudently faced the new ball, emerging from Day 1 without losing a wicket. As they ventured into Day 2, the duo, alongside the middle order, was well-positioned to exploit the now-battered ball’s conditions.
However, India’s nerves frayed at the thought of letting stalwarts like Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith amass runs, potentially solidifying Australia’s dominance. Importantly, it’s early days for India in this innings, but the specter of an empowered Australian batting lineup capitalizing on Gabba’s notorious early conditions looms large, threatening to run India out of contention before they even take their turn to bat.
Key Highlights from India vs Australia 3rd Test Day 2:
- Travis Head marks his 9th Test century; Australia asserts dominance at 231/3.
- Steve Smith’s half-century sparks a formidable partnership exceeding 100 runs with Head.
- Head’s inning includes an impressive 18th half-century, driving Australia to 155/3 on Day 2.
- At Lunch on Day 2, Australia stands at 104/3 (S Smith 25*; J Bumrah 2/26) in Brisbane.
- A concerning moment for India as Mohammed Siraj experiences knee discomfort, leaving the field.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy puts an end to Marnus Labuschagne’s struggle with a wicket at 12.
- Jasprit Bumrah sends Usman Khawaja back for 21 runs early on Day 2, a vital breakthrough for India.
