Tue Dec 17 00:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Australia Faces Weather and Injury Concerns as India Fight Back in Brisbane Test
**Brisbane, Australia** – Australia’s pursuit of a series win over India took a hit on day four of the third Test at the Gabba, hampered by both weather and injury concerns. Despite dismissing Rohit Sharma early, India’s KL Rahul remained a stubborn obstacle, reaching his second fifty of the series and showcasing impressive resilience.
Play resumed after a rain delay with India at 105-5, Rahul on 68, and the threat of further showers looming. A key concern for the Australians is the fitness of Josh Hazlewood, who left the field during the morning session with a calf issue, requiring scans to determine the severity. This comes after he missed the second Test due to a side strain.
The Gabba pitch, described as unusually green for day four, presented both opportunities and challenges. Pat Cummins, in particular, troubled the Indian batsmen early, beating the bat repeatedly and finally dismissing Rohit Sharma for a catch. However, a dropped catch early on by Steve Smith gifted Rahul a lifeline.
Despite the early Australian pressure, Rahul’s impressive batting, coupled with Jadeja’s contributions, kept India in the game, passing the 100-run mark before another rain delay. The match is delicately balanced, with Australia needing to claim the remaining Indian wickets quickly while also managing the unpredictable weather and Hazlewood’s fitness concerns. A minimum of 84.1 overs remained in the day’s play at the time of writing. The race is on for Australia to secure a victory and a 2-1 series lead.
First Piper 