Day one of the third Test between India and Australia in Brisbane was cut short by persistent rain, with only 13.2 overs of play possible. The Australian openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, managed a cautious start, guiding their team to 28 without loss before bad weather forced an early end to the day’s proceedings.

Khawaja, the local favorite, remained unbeaten on 19 from 47 balls, while debutant McSweeney showcased solid defense, scoring 4 off 33 deliveries. The pair demonstrated restraint against India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who struggled to exploit the overcast conditions effectively.

Despite favorable conditions, the Indian bowlers failed to mount significant pressure. Jasprit Bumrah’s six-over spell (0/8) lacked penetration, and Mohammed Siraj (0/13 in 4 overs) occasionally pitched too short, allowing the batters to leave comfortably. Akash Deep, playing his first Test, looked the most threatening, maintaining a probing off-stump line in his three overs before rain halted play.

Khawaja handled Bumrah’s deliveries with precision, minimizing risks by playing close to his body and leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. He picked up boundaries with controlled pulls off Siraj and exhibited his experience against India’s attack. McSweeney, on the other hand, focused on blunting the new ball and providing steady support.

The day’s play was interrupted twice by rain, with the second break ending hopes of further action. The weather forecast for the remaining four days suggests more disruptions, potentially leading to a start-stop contest.

For India, the limited play provided a mixed bag. While the Australians didn’t run away with the score, the Indian bowlers missed the opportunity to ask tougher questions early in the innings. The lack of swing and inconsistent lengths meant the Australian openers had relatively few challenges to overcome.

As play resumes, both teams will be keen to make the most of any dry spells. For India, tightening the bowling lines and forcing the batters to play will be crucial, while Australia will look to build on this steady start to gain a strong foothold in the match.

Indian leg spinner Amit Mishra has criticised the decision to make Shubman Gill the captain of India’s T20 team.

In a podcast, Mishra said Gill has no idea of what it means to be a captain and is ignorant of the importance of the captain’s role. Mishra said he didn’t feel Gill could do justice to the responsibility of being a captain in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe.

He suggested Ruturaj Gaikwad was a better option. He said there is a sense that Gaikwad has been ignored by the BCCI and national selectors to support Gill. Even Gaikwad was overlooked as a backup player for the T20 World Cup 2024 and then for India’s captaincy in Zimbabwe.

Mishra didn’t hesitate in saying he wouldn’t have appointed Gill captain for the Zimbabwe series. He admitted the decision had surprised him.

Mishra clarified that he is not someone who hates Gill but believed that if someone was doing well that person deserved a chance and respect, like Gaikwad.

During the IPL, Mishra said Gaikwad as captain of Chennai Super Kings had scored vital runs in many different situations. He has the hallmark of a complete player and needs to be rewarded in ODIs and Tests as well.

Most important thing is that he brings calm to the team and doesn’t make such risky shots, Mishra said in his evaluation of the performances of Gill and Gaikwad in IPL matches.

Mishra said the other captaincy options were Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. He said these three, including Gaikwad, are players who can lead India in T20Is.

The leggie also spoke on several other controversial topics including the row involving Sanjeev Goenka and KL Rahul during the IPL and the fraught dynamics between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.

A few days after India’s World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev’s appeal, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretay Jay Shah has instructed the cricket board to release Rs 1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to India’s veteran cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad, who is battling blood cancer.

According to BCCI Apex Council, Shah has also spoken to Gaekwad’s family and took stock of the situation and provided assistance.

In the statement, the Council has stated that the board stands by Gaekwad’s family in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is essential for Gaekwad’s quick recovery. The BCCI will continue to monitor Gaekwad’s progress and is confident that he will come out of this phase strongly, the BCCI Apex Council further said.

Earlier, speaking to a Sports channel, Kapil said that he had written to BCCI requesting to lend financial support to Gaekwad, who is battling blood cancer alone and said he is ready to donate his pension to help him.

He further said that his former teammates such as Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri and Kirti Azad have been generating funds to help Gaikwad, who has been undergoing treatment for the past year at King’s College Hospital in London.

Kapil showed his confidence in the BCCI going to take a look into the matter and extend its help to support the former India head coach Gaekwad financially. Kapil said he was saddened and depressed because he had played alongside Gaekwad and couldn’t bear to see him in this situation. No one should suffer, he added.

The cricket legend said he knows the Board will take care of him and not compel anyone. Any help for Anshu should come from the heart. Kapil further said that Anshu took blows to his face and chest when standing up to some of the ferocious fast bowlers. “Now is the time for us to stand up for him. I am sure our cricket fans will not fail him. They should pray for his recovery,” Kapil added.