India's bowlers frustrated as rain blights first day of third Test at The Gabba

Hosts close on 28-0 as just 13.2 overs of play completed

Heavy rain reduced play on the first day of the third Test between Australia and India to just 13.2 overs at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14, 2024. Getty Images

An Indian fan waves a flag from the stands as rain delays play. AFP

India's Virat Kohli on day one. AP

General view of covers on the pitch as it rain during play on day one of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo / Pat Hoelscher)

India's Jasprit Bumrah fields the ball. AP

Usman Khawaja of Australia made 19 off 47 balls. Getty Images

Ground staff bring on the covers as heavy rain delays play at The Gabba. EPA

A security official shields himself with a plastic sheet as rain disrupts play. AFP

Nathan McSweeney made four runs off 33 deliveries. Getty Images

India's bowlers were left frustrated and wicketless as rain wiped out most of the opening day's play in the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australia were 28 for no loss when play was abandoned, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 19 and Nathan McSweeney four not out after facing only 13.2 overs at a rain-sodden Gabba.

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first but his hope of early wickets proved forlorn, rain halting play in the sixth over for about 30 minutes and dashing his pace bowlers' hopes of finding their rhythm.

The rain returned to bring an early lunch and persisted until play was abandoned late in the afternoon, short-changing a crowd of 30,145.

The Gabba pitch had a green tinge on what had been a steamy, overcast morning, promising a stiff examination for Australia's top order, but the ball ultimately did little off the spongy pitch.

Barring a probing, opening burst by Jasprit Bumrah, who repeatedly beat Khawaja's bat, the Indian pacers were culpable of bowling too short.

Khawaja capitalised, smashing Mohammed Siraj to the fence with a couple of sweetly struck pull shots but the weather denied a healthy crowd more action.

With the five-Test series poised at 1-1, India made two changes to the side that lost by 10 wickets in the day-night test in Adelaide – Ravindra Jadeja replacing spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep coming in for struggling paceman Harshit Rana.

Australia made only one change, with quick Josh Hazlewood replacing Scott Boland after recovering from a side injury.

Rohit, whose poor form with the bat has heaped pressure on his captaincy, will continue to bat at number six, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal retained as the opening combination.

"There's a lot of grass and it looks a little soft as well so we want to try and make the best use of the conditions and try and see what we can do with the ball up front," Rohit had said after winning the toss, adding that the mood in the Indian dressing room was "absolutely buzzing".

"The guys are looking forward to the Test match. It's been always nice to come here and play some really good cricket and, yeah, when you talk about how everyone's feeling, they want to come out here and showcase themselves."

As it was, India will have to wait until day two to show their skills and may need early wickets to force a third consecutive result in the series.