Day 3 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s third Test at the Gabba saw another early departure for star India batter Virat Kohli, adding to the woes of the visiting team. Kohli, known for his resilience and prowess, edged a delivery outside the off-stump to be caught by Alex Carey off Josh Hazlewood, marking another low score in the series against Australia.
Virat Kohli falls cheaply
The dismissal came on the second ball of the 8th over when Hazlewood bowled a fullish delivery outside the off-stump, tempting Kohli into a drive. The ball moved away just enough to catch the outside edge of Kohli’s bat, sending him back to the pavilion for just 3 runs off 16 deliveries. This exit has fuelled discussions about Kohli’s form, particularly his struggles against the Australian pace attack in this series.
Hazlewood, celebrating his 9th dismissal of Kohli in Test cricket, appeared elated, acknowledging the significance of taking down one of the game’s greats. This moment was pivotal as India, already under pressure, were reduced to 22/3. The Indian batting lineup has been under scrutiny, with fans and analysts alike pointing to the need for a more robust strategy against the Australian bowlers.
Here’s the video:
Josh Hazlewood gets Virat Kohli!
The Australians are up and about on Day Three. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sq6oYZmZAz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2024
Solid start for Australia after finishing their first innings at 445
Australia, having posted a formidable 445 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith, put India under immense pressure. Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey also contributed valuable 70 runs to the teams’ total.
With the ball, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc gave India early blows before Hazlewood stepped in. Starc first sent Yashasvi Jaiswal packing for a two-ball 4 and then dismissed Shubman Gill 1 (3).
The match is significant not only for the ongoing series but also for India’s aspirations in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). With the weather playing a role, offering intermittent rain breaks, the contest at the Gabba has been anything but straightforward. However, with Kohli’s quick exit, India’s hopes of mounting a substantial response have dimmed, putting more responsibility on the remaining batters to salvage the innings.
