The day began positively for India as Bumrah struck early, removing both openers, and Nitish Reddy followed up by dismissing Labuschagne. However, the momentum shifted dramatically after lunch. Travis Head took charge yet again, arriving at the crease with Australia at 75/3. By the time he fell for a magnificent 152, Australia had reached a commanding 327/6.
Head played with remarkable freedom from the outset, initially guiding an out-of-form Smith at the other end. Once the partnership settled, Smith regained his rhythm, and the duo piled on the runs with a formidable 241-run stand. Smith eventually found his form, notching up a century before Bumrah dismissed him for 101 in the third session.
India showed brief signs of resurgence as Bumrah removed Marsh and Head in quick succession. Yet, with little support from the other bowlers, India let the game drift once more. Carey and Cummins added another vital 50-run partnership, and while Cummins fell late in the day, Carey looked composed, steering Australia past 400.
It was a long, tiring day for India, with Bumrah once again standing out as the lone warrior. Having already claimed another five-wicket haul, he desperately needs support from the other end to keep India in the contest.
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India’s Bowling Woes Exposed as Head-Smith Stand Takes Control
Travis Head and Steve Smith hammered centuries to dismantle India’s bowling attack on a largely placid Gabba surface, putting Australia firmly in control of the Brisbane Test with three days remaining. Head continued his dominance over India, scoring a blistering 152 off 160 balls—his third century in six innings against them, and second in succession.
Smith, historically prolific against India, reached his 10th Test century against them and his 33rd overall. His gritty 101 marked a return to form after a lean 2024, ending a string of low scores. The duo’s monumental 241-run partnership for the fourth wicket blunted India’s attack, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s heroic effort. The pacer claimed yet another five-wicket haul—his 12th in just 43 Tests—through two impressive bursts. However, at Stumps, Australia stood tall at 405/7, firmly dictating proceedings.
The Head-Smith partnership, spanning just three deliveries short of 50 overs, not only propelled Australia into a commanding position at a pivotal moment in the series but also cast a harsh spotlight on India’s decision-making—most notably, the choice to bowl first.
More concerning for the visitors was their bowling depth and resources in challenging conditions. India’s fourth and fifth bowlers, Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja, combined to deliver 29 overs, conceding 141 runs for just one wicket. Adding to their struggles, Mohammed Siraj, the second lead pacer, grappled with cramps in the humid conditions, managing only one wicket while leaking runs at 4.34 per over.
Bumrah Shines Bright as India Fight Back Early on Day 2
Jasprit Bumrah continued to set the gold standard for fast bowling with a masterful display on the morning of Day 2. After a challenging opening day, the clear, powdery blue skies over The Gabba seemed to inspire India’s bowling spearhead, who returned in an elevated version of his best self.
Bumrah’s opening-day lengths had been slightly straighter and shorter, but the much-anticipated adjustment arrived early. Operating on the fuller end of the good-length spectrum—between six and eight metres—he forced Usman Khawaja onto the front foot while denying him the drive. Exploiting Khawaja’s indecision, Bumrah beat him on the inside edge and twice on the outside edge in his very first over. In his next, he struck immediately. A tentative poke in the fourth-stump channel led to an edge, giving Rishabh Pant his 150th dismissal behind the stumps.
Nathan McSweeney, who had escaped Bumrah’s grasp on Day 1 after facing just three deliveries, wasn’t as fortunate. Facing only two more balls, he edged one that straightened against the angle to second slip. That wicket solidified Bumrah’s dominance over Australia’s openers, boasting an astonishing average of 4.28 in this series with seven dismissals (McSweeney 4, Khawaja 3) across three Tests.
India claimed a third wicket before lunch when Nitish Reddy tempted Marnus Labuschagne into edging a floaty, full, and wide delivery to second slip. Bumrah’s brilliance and India’s spirited fightback set the tone for a much-improved performance on Day 2.
India Lose Grip as Head and Smith Steady Australia Post-Lunch
At 75 for 3, India held the upper hand and had Steve Smith visibly uncomfortable with his exaggerated back-and-across shuffle. The veteran batter endured a couple of nervy moments early on, including a close shave when he shouldered arms to a nip-backer from Mohammed Siraj but survived courtesy of ‘Umpire’s Call.’ Akash Deep, who bowled brilliantly, also created pressure, inducing multiple false shots from Smith. The closest call came when a full delivery deflected slightly off Smith’s inside edge onto his pads, but luck remained with the Australian.
Travis Head’s arrival shifted India’s focus. Well aware of Head’s counter-attacking prowess, the visitors immediately placed a deep point to curb his scoring options. However, this tactical adjustment also relieved some pressure off Smith, allowing him to settle in.
The game turned dramatically in the wicketless post-lunch session, starting with a 43-overs-old ball. Head and Smith began piling on the runs, adding 54 risk-free runs within the first hour. Jasprit Bumrah bowled only two of those 13 overs before Akash Deep replaced him, but the change in ends did little to alter the Bengal seamer’s fortunes. Despite continuing to beat the bat and even striking Smith’s pads with a delivery angled in, India’s DRS review proved futile as the ball was shown to miss the stumps.
India’s inability to capitalize on early breakthroughs allowed Head and Smith to seize control, shifting momentum firmly in Australia’s favour.
Head’s Dominance and Smith’s Grit Break India’s Resolve
While India managed to keep Steve Smith on edge, Travis Head proved nearly untouchable at the other end, racing to his third consecutive 50+ score of the series. Even with a deep point in place, Head found alternative scoring routes, putting India’s attack under relentless pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, introduced after 48 overs, struggled with minimal spin on offer and was driven over mid-off for consecutive boundaries. Head reached his half-century off just 71 deliveries, peppering his innings with six boundaries and quickly shifting to a more aggressive gear.
The carnage intensified as Head dismantled both Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj. He took 31 runs off 40 balls bowled by Jadeja, while Siraj’s five-over spell in the session leaked 30 runs. Siraj attempted short-pitched deliveries but failed to get enough elevation, allowing Head to ramp over the cordon or pull between fielders on the leg side for boundaries. With the field spread wide, singles came easily, and Head capitalized on an attack clearly waiting for the second new ball.
Australia dominated the stretch between overs 60 and 80, plundering 127 runs. The first 10 overs after Tea yielded 63 runs, with Head blazing from 50 to 100 in just 44 balls. Smith, meanwhile, anchored from the other end, converting his half-century (off 128 balls) into a hundred in only 57 more deliveries, showcasing his classic stroke play along the way.
Relief finally arrived for India through Jasprit Bumrah, whose masterful spell with the second new ball restored a semblance of control. He picked up three wickets in the span of 12 deliveries, all caught behind the stumps, completing a stellar five-wicket haul—his second of the series to accompany his four-fer in Adelaide.
Yet, Australia continued to capitalize post-Bumrah. Alex Carey and Pat Cummins stitched together a brisk 58-run stand for the seventh wicket. Carey remained unbeaten on 45 off 47 balls at the close, as Australia closed Day 2 firmly in control at 405 for 7, leaving India with much to ponder.
Australia vs India 3rd Test Summary
Australia: Australia 405/7 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101)
India: Jasprit Bumrah (5-72)Â
Looking Ahead to Day 3
Australia stamped their authority on Day 2, amassing a massive 377 runs, including 171 in the final session, to reach a commanding 405/7 at stumps. Adding the overnight 28, the hosts showcased a batting masterclass led by centurions Steve Smith and Travis Head, whose 241-run partnership off 303 balls was the cornerstone of the innings.
The third session was a continuation of the wicketless second, where Smith and Head pulverized the Indian bowling attack. Head’s aggressive stroke play, combined with Smith’s patience and adaptability—an innings of two contrasting halves—left the visitors reeling. Smith, after an early struggle, spent enough time at the crease to grind down the Indian bowlers, while Head continued his domination against India, putting behind his poor history of three first-ball ducks at The Gabba.
India found solace in Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar effort, as the fast-bowling talisman delivered a tireless performance to claim 5/72. Bumrah’s late strikes with the second new ball were a rare positive for India, but they came far too late. Nitish Reddy and Mohammed Siraj managed a wicket each, while Akash Deep, despite making the ball dance and troubling both centurions, remained unlucky in his pursuit for breakthroughs.
Adding to Australia’s dominance, Alex Carey contributed a brisk unbeaten 45 late in the day, ensuring the momentum remained firmly with the hosts heading into Day 3. India will hope the forecasted rain offers some respite as they look for a way back into the contest.
FAQs
What was the highlight of Australia’s innings on Day 2?
The 241-run partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head off 303 balls was the standout moment, helping Australia dominate proceedings.
How did Jasprit Bumrah perform?
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s standout bowler, claiming 5/72, including crucial wickets with the second new ball.
How many runs did Australia score on Day 2?
Australia scored 377 runs on Day 2, including 171 in the final session, taking their total to 405/7 at stumps.
Which Indian bowlers struggled the most?
Akash Deep bowled well but remained wicketless, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj leaked runs, especially during the post-lunch session.
How did Travis Head and Steve Smith approach their innings?
Travis Head played an aggressive knock, reaching his century quickly, while Steve Smith adapted, starting cautiously before accelerating in the latter half.
