On the second day of the rain-marred third Test between India and Australia at The Gabba, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a fiery spell to put India in command during the first hour. After only 13.2 overs were possible on Day 1 due to rain, Bumrah wasted no time on Day 2, removing both openers quickly.
The 31-year-old pacer dismissed Usman Khawaja for 21, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, and then claimed Nathan McSweeney’s wicket for 9, with Virat Kohli completing a sharp catch in the slips off the third ball of the 19th over. With Australia reeling at 30 for 2, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne tried to steady the ship.
Marnus Labuschagne, however, struggled to find fluency, failing to hit a boundary during his 55-ball stay. The duo added a cautious 37 runs for the third wicket before Nitish Kumar Reddy struck, dismissing Labuschagne for a painstaking 12. Kohli once again showcased his slip-catching prowess to send the Aussie batter back in the 34th over.
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Labuschagne’s time at the crease wasn’t without drama. During the 33rd over, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj engaged in a cheeky moment of gamesmanship, swapping the bails at the bowler’s end, likely to unsettle the batter. Labuschagne, unfazed, swapped the bails back, and the playful exchange quickly went viral after fans and broadcasters shared the clip on social media.
Siraj went to change the bails over…
Marnus was having none of it 😅#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nfQZ1sEZqo
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 15, 2024
How good is this exchange between Siraj and Labuschange? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GSv1XSrMHn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2024
While it appeared to be harmless banter, the very next over saw Labuschagne’s dismissal, adding a layer of intrigue to the mind games. At 75 for 3 in 33.2 overs, Australia found themselves in a precarious position.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s leading run-scorer in World Test Championship (WTC) history, has been grappling with a dip in form throughout 2024. Despite a fifty in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, his inconsistent performances have raised questions about his spot in the side.
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India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah’s brilliance, capitalized on the conditions to keep the pressure on Australia. With the series hanging in the balance, the visitors will look to sustain their momentum and exploit the cracks appearing in the Australian batting order.
