Mon Dec 16 02:10:00 UTC 2024: ## India Stumbles in Brisbane, Star Batsmen Fail Again
**Brisbane, Australia:** India’s struggles continued on Day 3 of the first Test against Australia in Brisbane. Following a disappointing performance in Adelaide, the Indian batting lineup once again crumbled under pressure from the Australian pace attack, leaving them trailing by a massive 394 runs at stumps (51/4).
Intermittent rain throughout the day added to the challenges. Australia, having declared their first innings at 445, thanks to centuries from Steve Smith (101) and Travis Head (152) and a quickfire 70 from Alex Carey, exploited the challenging conditions and the weaknesses in the Indian top order.
Only KL Rahul (33) offered any significant resistance. Other key batsmen, including Virat Kohli (3), Shubman Gill (1), Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), and Rishabh Pant (9), all fell cheaply. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers in the first innings, taking 6 wickets for 76 runs.
The Australian pace bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in particular, made early inroads, reducing India to 22/3 before lunch. Pat Cummins later dismissed Rishabh Pant, further compounding India’s woes.
Critics have pointed to the challenging nature of the new Kookaburra ball and the need for greater patience from the Indian batsmen, particularly in the early overs. Kohli’s dismissal, once again caught outside off-stump, highlighted the ongoing struggle. The match was eventually called off due to bad light. India faces a daunting task to avoid a heavy defeat.
First Piper 