Border-Gavaskar series: India's first innings woes deepen at Gabba as Virat Kohli goes cheaply again

India’s recent first innings woes have continued, allowing Australia’s pace attack to take control of the third Test at the Gabba.

While rain may have the final say in deciding the current match, if the trend continues India will struggle to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

At stumps on the third day India were 4-51 and still trailing by 394 runs on the first innings.

This is now the eighth Test in a row in which India’s batsmen have disappointed in the first innings, stretching back to their two-Test series against Bangladesh in September.

None of the top seven have made a century and collectively they now average less than 22 during that period.

Their demise on day three on Monday was partly of their own making while also due to excellent bowling by Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) flicked a Starc half-volley straight to Mitch Marsh at square leg. Shubman Gill (1) drove loosely at Starc with an open bat face to be brilliantly snaffled by Marsh in the gully.

Virat Kohli (3) and Rishabh Pant (9) were out to ripsnorters by Hazlewood and Cummins respectively.

The other worry for India is the Australian pace trio have the wood on several of their top order.

Jaiswal, who did make a brilliant second innings 161 in Perth, has now been dismissed three times in the series by Starc, as has opening partner KL Rahul.

Cummins has removed Pant three times.

India’s struggles are also highlighted by the fact Kohli, who scored an unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth, has only managed one score exceeding 10 in the first innings of his past eight Tests.

SUMMARY

Australia made 445 in their first innings after wicketkeeper Alex Carey (74) went on the attack on a rain-interrupted day. India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah finished with 6-76. In reply India collapsed with only opener KL Rahul (33no) offering any resistance as Mitchell Starc (2-24) broke through in the first over to put the visitors on the back foot.

THE MOMENT

Allrounder Mitch Marsh has had limited opportunities with the ball in this series but his catch in the gully to dismiss dangerous India No.3 Shubman Gill was worth bottling. Gill drove at Starc and Marsh dived full length to his left and snaffled the catch in both hands after it had passed him.

THE PLAYER

Starc, 34, has kept himself in great shape in the latter stages of his career to shine with the ball. It was his fielding that proved pivotal when he made a diving save to reduce a Rahul pull shot from two to a single. That brought Virat Kohli on strike who was dismissed next ball by Josh Hazlewood before he could get going.

THE STAT

Kohli, India’s best batter, has now made more than 10 only once in the first innings of his previous eight Tests.

THE QUOTE: “There is not much room in the (slips) cordon but the Bison (Mitch Marsh) has leapt over the other cattle.” - Former Australian bowler Kerry O’Keeffe describes Marsh’s classic catch in commentary.