Team India Relying on Weather as the Border-Gavaskar Series Hangs in the Balance
Team India seems to be depending more on mausam (weather) than their kushalta (ability) as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy reaches a crucial stage. The Men in Blue are in a difficult position at 51-4 in their first innings at the end of Day 3 of the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Australia, on the other hand, have dominated from the start after Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first. With centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith, the hosts scored 445 runs, leaving India with a massive chunauti (challenge).
India might find a raahat (rescue) through the weather, as the agale do din (next two days) have a poor forecast. This could allow India to move into the final phase of the series without trailing. However, considering their current pradarshan (performance), a series win seems bahut mushkil (very difficult).
Let’s look at three reasons why India’s chances of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 appear kaafi kamzor (very weak) after Day 3 of the Gabba Test:
1. Bowlers Can Take 20 Wickets, But Batters Can’t Bat For a Full Day
Winning in videshi sthitiyaan (foreign conditions) requires taking 20 wickets and batting long enough to provide rest for the bowlers. While India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has shown potential, the batting department has bilkul bharosa nahi dilaya (given no assurance).
India’s batting struggles are clear, as they’ve lost 24 wickets in just 92 overs in this series, whereas Australia batted for 117 overs in Brisbane’s first innings. Without building long partnerships, bowlers don’t get time to arrest karna (recover), impacting their taakat aur tezi (strength and intensity).
The top-order batters must handle the nayi gend (new ball) to protect the vulnerable middle-order players like Kohli, Pant, and Rohit. Unfortunately, India hasn’t yet adapted to Australian conditions.
2. Downward Spiral in Both Batting and Bowling
India’s batting collapses have become more bure aur samajh se bahar (worse and baffling) with each Test. Apart from KL Rahul and Nitish Reddy, the rest of the batters seem atmavishwas ki kami (lacking confidence).
Despite getting easier conditions in Melbourne and Sydney compared to Brisbane and Perth, the Indian batting lineup has failed to take advantage due to their bhay aur asmanjas (fear and hesitation).
On the bowling side, the team is overly reliant on Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj has been struggling with a peeth ki chot (hamstring issue) in the Brisbane Test, leaving the attack looking tired and ashakt (weakened). Players like Akash Deep and Harshit Rana have shown glimpses of promise but lack the consistency to perform as frontline bowlers.
If the Indian bowlers, already thake hue (exhausted), face Australia’s in-form batting unit on sundar aur teekhi pitches (good and lively pitches), it will spell trouble for the remainder of the series.
3. Australia Growing Stronger, India Falling Behind
Australia’s sudhar aur pragati (growth and improvement) in the series has been the opposite of India’s decline. After their initial batting collapse in Perth, Australia has grown stronger with every match.
The Australian bowlers, led by Pat Cummins, have consistently exploited India’s galat shaadiyon ka chunav (poor shot selection). The home team hasn’t needed to mehnat karna (grind hard) to dismiss the Indian batting lineup.
A settled batting order, a disciplined bowling attack, and the advantage of playing on their home pitches give Australia a clear fayda (advantage). Unless India comes up with a vishesh aur asadharan pradarshan (special and extraordinary performance), turning the series in their favor will remain dur ka sapna (a distant dream).
India’s next steps require a mix of strategy, dhairya (patience), and strong execution to overcome the current challenges. However, as things stand, Australia seems poised to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
