Rain rescues India to avoid follow-on in Gabba Test against Australia

India avoided the follow-on on the fourth day of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday, as they crawled to 252-9 with play stopped due to bad light.

The rain breaks provided India with vital moments to regroup and kept their hopes alive of salvaging a draw, leaving the series at 1-1 heading into the fourth Test in Melbourne.

India lost Nitish Kumar Reddy in the second session after a solid 53-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

Just when it seemed the pair could steer India to the 246-run mark required to avoid the follow-on, Australian captain Pat Cummins made the breakthrough, dismissing Reddy for 16. A rain delay soon followed, forcing an early tea with 27.4 overs still to be bowled in the day.

Earlier in the day, KL Rahul, who had been dropped by Steve Smith off the first ball, played a stylish knock of 84 and appeared to be guiding India to safety. However, Smith made amends with a stunning one-handed catch at first slip to dismiss Rahul, just 20 minutes before lunch.

Australia was also dealt a blow with the loss of fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who bowled only one over in the morning session before leaving the field with calf soreness. Cricket Australia later confirmed Hazlewood had suffered a calf strain and would take no further part in the Test.

Resuming at 51-4, Rahul and Indian captain Rohit Sharma weathered the early pressure and took the score to 74 before Sharma edged a Cummins delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Rahul, having survived a dropped chance earlier, brought up his half-century with a crisp cover drive. However, just before lunch, Smith’s brilliant catch off Nathan Lyon’s bowling sent Rahul back to the pavilion.

The ongoing weather conditions forecast more rain which could offer India a chance to salvage a draw. If they do so, the series would remain tied at 1-1 heading into the final Test in Melbourne.