The Gabba holds a special place in Rishabh Pant’s heart. During India’s previous tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the final Test at this venue saw India tasked with chasing 328 to secure a memorable victory. Australia had not lost a Test at the Gabba in 30 years, but Pant’s stunning unbeaten 89 off 138 balls helped Ajinkya Rahane’s team breach the Aussie fortress, creating a historic moment.

Now, four years later, Rishabh Pant returned to the Gabba for the third Test of the ongoing 5-match series. He received a warm reception, with Indian fans arriving with musical instruments, and a group of Australians wearing Rishabh Pant masks and grooving to the beats of the dhol.

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It was a festive atmosphere, but unfortunately, rain played spoilsport on the opening day of the Brisbane Test. Only 13.2 overs were bowled before the players had to return to the dressing rooms, and the match was abandoned for the day. On Sunday, if weather permits, Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney will resume the innings at 28/0.

Aussie fans with RishabhPant masks🍻 #RishabhPant #Cricket #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/TGw9X5p06P

— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) December 14, 2024

The rain in Brisbane has made it a stop-start affair, and with more showers expected, the game is likely to be a frustrating one for both teams. Khawaja, batting on 19 off 47 balls, and McSweeney, on 4 off 33, showed a balanced approach, mixing caution with occasional aggression. Khawaja managed a couple of boundaries when Mohammed Siraj pitched short.

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India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, would be relieved that Australia hasn’t put up a big score, but his bowlers failed to create enough pressure. The Indian attack couldn’t get the Australian openers to play many deliveries, leaving several balls without much challenge. Just as it seemed the bowlers were settling in, the rain arrived again, halting their momentum. Jasprit Bumrah, with figures of 0/8 in 6 overs, had his least impactful spell of the series.