While Abhishek Sharma has brought the fire as usual, with two big lucks, his opening partner Shubman Gill has fired the Aussie pacers in the powerplay of the fifth and final T20I at Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday (November 8) night. 

India scored 52/0 before interruption

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field first at Brisbane, as there was a rain threat during the match, and it became true, as the game stopped due to lightning and then for rain before the completion of the fifth over.  

Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill set a 52-run partnership for the unbroken first wicket before the game was stopped at 4.5 overs. Opener Abhishek has scored 23 not out off 13 balls with one four and one six, as he got two lucks, while Shubman has produced more threatening innings. At the interruption, the right-handed opening batter Shubman scored 29 not out off 16 balls with six fours. 

[WATCH] Abhishek Sharma smashes Nathan Ellis for massive 6 during AUS vs IND 5th T20I

AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Shubman Gill hit four fours to Ben Dwarshuis in the third over

In the third over of the innings, Shubman slammed four fours to the Aussie pacer Ben Dwarshuis. On the first delivery of the over, Shubman played a brilliant cover drive to send the full-length ball to the boundary. While the next ball was a dot, the Indian opener hit three consecutive boundaries in the next three deliveries.

On the third ball of the over, Shubman danced down the pitch and sent the ball for a four over the wide mid-on. On the next ball, Shubman stepped out and curved the ball through the backward point for another four. The streak ended by nailing a pull shot to a short delivery, which ran through the square leg for another boundary. The opener defended the next ball as he scored 16 runs from that over.  

each and every boundary he slammed was a "fuck you" shot. that's it.#ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/bvnOxJ8Uby

— ❤︎ (@sushipill77) November 8, 2025

It is time for the fifth and final T20I of the series between Australia and India, which the Gabba is hosting in Brisbane for the night T20I fixture on Saturday (November 8). It is the must-win game for the hosts Australia to save the series by leveling it 2-2, while India will win the series by avoiding any defeat in the last fixture. The visitors have made a crucial change in the playing XI.

Rinku Singh gets game time

Once again, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field first. The hosts have brought the unchanged squad for the series finale. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh has finally got a game time, as the Asia Cup 2025 Final hero Tilak Varma has been rested for this fixture. 

See Also: ICC confirms expansion of Women’s ODI World Cup 2029 to 10 teams

AUS vs IND, 5th T20I: Playing XIs

Isa Guha Issues Apology for Comment About Jasprit Bumrah

During the third Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Isa Guha, a former England cricketer turned commentator, found herself in the midst of controversy after using the term “most valuable primate” to describe Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The remark, made on December 15, 2024, during a live broadcast, quickly drew backlash from viewers who felt the comment had negative racial connotations.

The term "primate," while scientifically encompassing humans and other mammals, has historically been associated with racial undertones in certain contexts. Recognizing the unintended offense caused by her words, Guha addressed the situation immediately and issued an on-air apology at the start of the following day’s broadcast.

Guha’s On-Air Apology

Appearing alongside fellow commentators Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist, Guha expressed regret, stating:

“Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways. I’d like to apologise for any offence caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect for others. If you listen to the full transcript, I only meant the highest praise for one of India’s greatest players, and someone that I admire greatly.”

Her apology emphasized her commitment to inclusivity and respect, both as a commentator and as an advocate for equality in sports.

This seductive voice of Isha Guha and they made her to apologize .. Bumrah didn't even notice her comment 🤦🤦

pic.twitter.com/mevQEKC6wU

— ROFL.Ai (@ROFL_India) December 29, 2024

Reactions from Colleagues and Viewers

Ravi Shastri, a respected figure in cricket and one of her co-commentators, commended Guha for her sincerity and bravery in addressing the matter publicly. He remarked:

“Brave woman. To do it on live television and apologise, it takes some steel. You heard it from the horse’s mouth. So as far as I am concerned, it’s game over. People are entitled to make mistakes. We are all humans. In the heat of the moment, sometimes when you have the mic in hand, things can happen. To own up and say sorry, takes courage.”

Social media reactions were mixed. While some applauded her immediate apology and professionalism, others remained critical, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in commentary, particularly in a sport as diverse as cricket.

As expected since India’s follow-on avoidance, the Brisbane Test ended with a draw result but with an unexpected thrilling turn, where rain spoiled the entire moment. 

Starting the fifth day at 252/9 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs, the Indian last batters added eight more runs before Travis Head dismissed Akash Deep for 31 runs off 44 balls (two fours and one six) as he was stumped out. 

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep added 47 runs for the last wicket. It was India's third-highest 10th-wicket partnership in Test cricket in Australia. 

See Also: Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket

Australia declared at 89/7

Australia started their second innings of the Gabba Test with a lead of 185 runs, but the Indian pacers dominated from the early period. Australia lost five wickets for 33 runs, where Jasprit Bumrah started with two wickets, while Akash Deep shined from the beginning by picking up the next two wickets, and Mohammed Siraj sent the first innings centurion Steven Smith very early. 

Later, Travis Head (17), Alex Carey (20*), and captain Pat Cummins (22) cleared their minds with big shots as they were busy to start the fourth innings as soon as possible in the bad weather. Australia ultimately declared their innings at 89/7 in 18 overs, as India had the fourth innings target of 275 runs in 54 possible overs.

Indian openers stayed not out in the tricky period

Indian openers came to bat in the full dark cloud weather, which was only confirming the fifth-day weather forecast. Aussie fast bowlers, the left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc and the skipper Pat Cummins, only managed to bowl 13 balls, where India scored 8/0 before the bad light called the tea break sooner.

Both the Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, didn’t look nervous in the tricky period, as the fourth innings couldn't be restarted due to dominant rain. Both the umpires and teams quickly came to the draw decision. 

Series remained level at 1-1

At the end of the Brisbane Test, the five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is hanging at 1-1 with the last two Tests to go. While India won the Test series opener at Perth by 295 runs, Australia won the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test by 10 wickets. 

Iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the fourth Test of the series, starting on December 26. Later, another iconic venue Sydney Cricket Ground will host the last Test, starting on January 3, 2025.

Indian star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah set a new Test record in Indian cricket with the ball, which broke the legendary pacer Kapil Dev’s 32-year-old record. 

After India were bowled out for 260 runs in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs in the Brisbane Test, Australia had a horrible start in their second innings, as they lost four wickets for only 28 runs in the first ten overs. 

Jasprit Bumrah took the first two wickets of Australia's second innings

While Jasprit Bumrah took the first two wickets by dismissing Usman Khawaja (8) and Marnus Labuschagne (1), Akash Deep was really impressive by picking up the other two wickets in his first two overs. Akash dismissed Nathan McSweeney (4) and Mitchell Marsh (2).

Talking about Bumrah, he bowled Khawaja and completed his 51st Test wicket in Australia. Later, Labuschagne’s caught-behind dismissal recorded his 52nd Test wicket in Australia.

See Also: Fans slam Indian team management after Ravindra Jadeja's heroic batting performance

Bumrah surpassed Kapil Dev-Ishant Sharma's joint record

Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev was the first Indian to record 50 Test wickets in an overseas country. In 1992, he completed 50 Test wickets in Australia and ended his career with 51 Test wickets in Australia. 

Ishant Sharma was the other Indian bowler to take 50+ Test wickets in a foreign country. Till 2021, the tall right-arm pacer picked up 51 Test wickets in England.

With his 52 Test wickets in Australia, Bumrah set a new record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in an overseas country. Later, Bumrah took the wicket of the Aussie captain Pat Cummins (22) to take his tally in Australia to 53 Test wickets. Australia ultimately declared their innings at 89/7 as the hosts set a 275-run target for the visitors in the fourth innings.  

With his 9/94 in the Brisbane Test, Bumrah recorded the second-best Test match bowling figures by an Indian pacer in Australia. He also holds this record with 9/86 during the 2018 Melbourne Test. 

Indian pacers 🔥🔥🔥🌋
Best match figues by Indian seamers in Australia
9/86 Jasprit Bumrah Melbourne 2018
9/94 Jasprit Bumrah Brisbane 2024
8/72 Jasprit Bumrah Perth 2024
8/109 Kapil Dev Adelaide 1985#AUSvIND #ทิชาตอนจบ pic.twitter.com/NGDRFWbVV0

— Sv Rajput (@ShivmLodhi) December 18, 2024

The fourth day of the Brisbane Test was thrilling and entertaining despite multiple rain interruptions. At the end of the day, India just managed to avoid the follow-on, which pushed the game toward a lame draw, except for any big surprises on the rain-forecast fifth day. 

In the reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445 runs, India started the fourth day at 51/4. The drama started from the first ball of the sunshine fourth day as the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins generated an edge from the opener KL Rahul’s bat, but Steven Smith dropped that simple catch at the slip. It hurt the hosts as Rahul played a memorable knock. 

KL Rahul scored 84; Josh Hazlewood can't bowl more in the Test

Although the Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 10 runs after setting a 30-run partnership for the fifth wicket, Rahul got strong support from experienced Ravindra Jadeja, who is playing his first Test of the series. 

Also, Australia soon hit hard with massive injury news as Josh Hazlewood only managed to bowl one over of the day. While he went back to the dressing room early, it was later confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the Test match due to a right-sided calf strain. It has forced the hosts to carry on with one key bowler short. As a result, Mitchell Marsh delivered two overs, and Travis Head bowled one over. 

Rahul and Jadeja had a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. After completing his half-century in 85 balls, Rahul continued his incredible controlled innings. In the long first session, Rahul was ultimately dismissed after an incredible catch by Steven Smith at slip in Nathan Lyon’s over. 

Ravindra Jadeja scored 77 runs

After Rahul was dismissed with 84 off 139 balls (eight fours), Jadeja controlled the innings with the in-form lower-order batter Nitish Kumar Reddy. Once again, Nitish showed his presence of mind in the difficult game situation by supporting Jadeja with his patient batting. Before he was bowled by Cummins for 16 runs, which he scored after facing 61 balls, he had a valuable 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Later, Mohammed Siraj lost his wicket for one run, while Jadeja fought hard. After completing his 50 runs off 82 balls, Jadeja scored 77 off 123 balls (six fours and one six) before he was caught out at deep square leg. When Jadeja went to the dressing room, India were struggling at 213/9, and they were still 33 runs short to avoid the follow-on. 

Bumrah and Akash Deep surprised with the bats

While the vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah held the wicket patiently, the no.11 batter Akash Deep stunned by his batting performance. The last batter hit a four at the crucial time, which ultimately became the last over of the day, and confirmed India’s avoidance of the follow-on. After rescuing the visitors, Akash Deep slammed a sixer to Cummins, and after the next ball, bad light stopped the game. Soon, the day was also called off. 

Watch: Kohli-Gambhir celebrate together after Akash Deep's heroic save

India scored 252/9 at the end of the day. While Bumrah scored 10 not out off 27 balls with one sixer, Akash Deep scored 27 not out off 31 balls with two fours and one six. They already set a 39-run partnership in 54 balls for the unbroken 10th wicket. 

Among the Australian bowlers, skipper Pat Cummins took four wickets (4/80), while Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets (3/83). Josh Hazlewood (1/22) and Nathan Lyon (1/54) have also taken one wicket each.

Day 4 of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Gabba saw India fight hard to stay in the contest. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were the key contributors, with Rahul making 84 after surviving an early drop. Jadeja also played a crucial knock, scoring 77, and keeping India’s chances alive. Despite their efforts, India ended the day trailing Australia by 193 runs at stumps, with one wicket remaining.

Jadeja and KL Rahul Lead India’s Fightback

Day 4 began with Pat Cummins delivering a fiery opening spell. In his very first ball of the day, KL Rahul nicked the ball, but Steve Smith dropped the catch on 33, giving Rahul a lifeline. He capitalized on this opportunity, going on to score a solid 84 before Smith redeemed himself with a stunning catch. Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal for just 10 runs put India under pressure, but Ravindra Jadeja took charge. His knock of 77 kept India in the game and provided much-needed stability to the innings.

See Also: Fans slam Indian team management after Ravindra Jadeja's heroic batting performance

Lower Order Resilience: Akash Deep and Bumrah Stand Strong

After Jadeja’s dismissal, India’s hopes rested on the last-wicket pair of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo added a vital unbeaten 39-run partnership, ensuring India avoided the follow-on. As bad light stopped play early, India finished the day at 252/9, trailing by 193 runs. With the match leaning towards a draw, fans await Day 5 to see if India can extend their innings or if Australia finishes things off quickly.

With rain expected, there is a high chance the match could end in a draw. However, both teams are still in with a chance of a surprising win. Whether Australia or India secures a victory, it will be a surprising outcome considering the situation. The final day promises to be crucial as both sides fight for the lead.

Despite many rain interruptions, which can be a driving factor for possible draw result of the crucial Brisbane Test, the fourth day of the Test match was full of thriller. The visitors India just managed to save the follow-on and it was a completely thrilling moment in the dressing room which made the former Indian captain Virat Kohli very excited. 

With the help of Steven Smith (101) and Travis Head’s (152) centuries and Alex Carey’s 70,  Australia were all out for 445 runs in the first innings after the Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to field first in the Gabba Test. 

In reply, India ended the third day of the Test match at 51/4. Early on the fourth day, captain Rohit Sharma (10) lost his wicket to the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins as the visitors were struggling at 74/5 and the follow-on scare was there.

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja brought the hope

While opener KL Rahul was solid with the bat, except for providing an opportunity on the first ball of the day, Ravindra Jadeja gave him solid support. They had a 67-run partnership before Rahul was dismissed for 84 runs by Steven Smith’s incredible catch. 

After Rahul was out, in-form batter Nitish Kumar Reddy provided another support to Ravindra Jadeja. They had a 53-run partnership for the eighth wicket, and Reddy was out after scoring 16 runs. 

While Mohammed Siraj lost his wicket for one run, Jadeja lost his wicket after bravely fighting with 77 runs off 123 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. At that point, India scored 213/9, and they still required 32 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

See Also: Will Australia miss Hazlewood for the remaining BGT?

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep did the job perfectly

The last two batters Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep didn’t lose their hope. The last moments were very thrilling where Akash Deep ultimately rescued the visitors by officially avoiding the follow-on with a boundary to Cummins over the gully fielder.   

While India avoided follow-on with that boundary, Kohli and the head coach Gautam Gambhir had a passionate high-five. Kohli also had another passionate celebration with the skipper Rohit Sharma.

Akash Deep then slammed a sixer to Cummins. Soon, the day ended after the bad light interrupted the game once again.  

Akash Deep makes sure India avoid the follow-on and then smashes Pat Cummins into the second level!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HIu86M7BNW

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

#TeamIndia have avoided the follow-on. AUSTRALIA WILL HAVE TO BAT AGAIN!#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 3rd Test, Day 5 | 18th DEC, WED, 5:15 AM on Star Sports! #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/DqW3C9DMJX

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2024

THE SHOW-STOPPER AKASH DEEP! 😎#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 3rd Test, Day 5 | 18th DEC, WED, 5:15 AM! #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/Yi8RQxoqhK

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 17, 2024

On Day 4 of the Brisbane Test between India and Australia, Mohammed Siraj found himself at the center of criticism from Sunil Gavaskar for his questionable decision-making during a crucial moment in the 62nd over.

What happened?

During Pat Cummins’ over, Ravindra Jadeja was focused on shielding Siraj from facing too many deliveries, as Siraj was a lower-order batsman. Jadeja carefully faced the first four balls, intending to take most of the strike to build a good score for India. However, the last two balls had to be faced by Siraj.

On the 5th ball, Siraj tapped a delivery between extra cover and cover and looked for a single, despite there being close fielders around. Jadeja, realizing there was no run, sent him back. However, when the fielder’s throw missed the stumps, Siraj ran for an overthrow, surprising Jadeja. Siraj quickly attempted for 1 run after the overthrow, moving to the non-striker’s end, leaving Jadeja puzzled.

Sunil Gavaskar questions Siraj's cricketing sense

Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary at the time, strongly criticized Siraj’s behavior. Gavaskar remarked, “He has no cricketing sense. He should have played the two balls for his team.” He further pointed out the lack of awareness in Siraj’s decision, emphasizing that Jadeja, as the set batsman, should have been allowed to face more deliveries in the next over.

The outcome of Siraj’s actions proved costly. In the very next over, bowled by Mitchell Starc, Siraj faced several bouncers and was dismissed on the last ball, caught behind after edging a delivery.

Day 3 of the 3rd Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane not only saw a challenging contest on the field but also ignited a wave of harsh criticism and sarcastic commentary on social media. As India faced struggles, the online platforms were flooded with debates, jabs, and calls for accountability. Here’s a breakdown of the key talking points making the rounds:

Virat Kohli’s Shot Selection Sparks Debate

Virat Kohli’s dismissal, caught behind after attempting a drive on a fifth-stump line ball, quickly became a hot topic on social media. Fans criticized his shot selection as reckless and unnecessary, questioning his ability to leave balls outside the off-stump. The dismissal sparked comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar’s famous innings in the 2003–04 Sydney Test, where Tendulkar showed the discipline to avoid risky shots like the cover drive. Fans even suggested watching his idol’s videos to learn how to avoid such dismissals, as Kohli has fallen to similar shots multiple times.

Rohit Sharma Faces Leadership Questions

Rohit Sharma has been in the spotlight, with social media buzzing with questions about his leadership. Critics have been questioning his abilities, especially after the team’s struggles. Rohit’s batting form is also a concern, although he remains not out at the end of Day 3. People are waiting for the next opportunity to either praise him or criticize him, depending on his performance on Day 4. His leadership has become a frequent topic of debate, with fans eager to see if he can lead India to a comeback.

Rain Sarcasm: India’s “Savior”

With rain interruptions dominating Day 3, social media users sarcastically suggested that only the weather could save India from a certain defeat. Jokes and memes circulated, mocking the team’s inability to counter Australia’s dominance and suggesting that rain was their only hope. This sentiment reflected the frustration of fans who, while hopeful, questioned India’s chances of winning without external factors coming into play.

Young Players Criticized

Young players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant found themselves in the line of fire after their disappointing performances. Gill was criticized for his inconsistent batting, with many questioning his place in the team due to his relatively low batting average. Jaiswal, who was dismissed after just the second ball of the innings, found himself the target of mocking comments. This was especially pointed given his bold remarks during the Perth Test, where, after his impressive knock, he had taunted Australian bowler Mitchell Starc by saying, "You're too slow." Fast forward to the second Test in Adelaide, where Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck off the very first ball of the innings, and then again in this match, dismissed on just the second ball. Fans were quick to mock him, questioning his overconfidence and how quickly things turned around after his earlier comments to Starc. Pant, too, came under criticism after failing in five consecutive innings.

India has a difficult task ahead in the final days of the 3rd Test, but a comeback is within reach. Fans must stay supportive, offering both constructive feedback and encouragement as the team battles to recover.