The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in an uneventful draw at the Gabba, but the series has been anything but dull. With the five-match showdown tied at 1-1, both India and Australia face challenges as they gear up for the final two games. For India, a major concern is the alarming dip in skipper Rohit Sharma’s form. The 37-year-old, who missed the opening Test due to paternity leave, has managed a mere 19 runs across three innings since returning.
Since his century against England in Dharamsala earlier this year, Rohit has crossed the fifty-run mark just once in 13 innings. Alarmingly, he has been dismissed for single digits nine times during this stretch. Acknowledging his poor run, Rohit remained composed, stating that while the numbers may seem bleak, he is satisfied with his preparation and mindset.
"And I am feeling good about myself, to be honest. Yeah, runs are obviously not showing that. But inside it's a different feeling," he admitted during the post-match conference.
However, he expressed confidence in his process, adding that his mental and physical state were in the right place despite the lack of big scores.
India’s resilience has been a recurring theme in the series. Despite being bowled out for a meagre total on the opening day in Perth, the team bounced back to secure a commanding victory at the Optus Stadium. Even at the Gabba, where adverse weather played a crucial role, India managed to fend off pressure, thanks to vital contributions and a fighting mentality that Rohit commended.
Rohit highlighted the team's tenacity, noting: "This thing has been, in our team for a while now, that we don't give up easily, whatever the situation. We want to keep fighting. Even when we bowled in the second innings, we had the same intensity that we wanted to bowl them out for 60-70 runs because we knew they would play their shots and look to score quickly. That gives you opportunities and we get some as well. But we didn't have enough time to chase 270-280 in 50 overs."
A pivotal moment came when Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep formed a crucial partnership to avoid the follow-on. Australia, led by Pat Cummins, eventually declared with a challenging lead of over 270 runs. However, persistent rain curtailed play to just 13 deliveries on the final day, leaving both teams pondering what might have been.
For Australia, their top-order struggles mirror India's issues. Usman Khawaja’s lean form and Nathan McSweeney’s tepid start have raised concerns. The biggest disappointment, however, has been Marnus Labuschagne, whose performances have fallen short of expectations since his solid start in Adelaide. Despite this, skipper Pat Cummins defended the top order, highlighting their contributions in absorbing early pressure and enabling the middle order to capitalise.
"Obviously, they would be hoping to score more runs, we'd like them to score more runs, but I think they have made some important contributions that others have benefited from," Cummins remarked, pointing out that players like Travis Head have thrived as a result.
Young talent Sam Konstas has emerged as a potential contender, impressing selectors with stellar performances in domestic cricket. However, Cummins suggested that McSweeney would be given more opportunities to solidify his position.
With both teams grappling with inconsistencies, the upcoming Boxing Day Test promises to be a high-stakes battle. For players like Rohit, Khawaja, and Labuschagne, these games could be decisive in shaping their narratives for the series and beyond. As the competition heats up, the cricketing world waits to see who will rise to the occasion.