Published By: Sayan Guha

BGT 2024/25: Weather Woes at the Gabba- Could Nature Play the Deciding Hand in the Test?

With the series tied 1-1, the third Test at Brisbane promises drama—both on and off the pitch. Will the skies play spoilsport?

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has been a story of stark differences until now. India’s stunning 295-run victory in Perth led to Jasprit Bumrah’s blistering spells and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s superb century, which set the tone. But Australia fought back under the lights in Adelaide, defeating India by ten wickets with Mitchell Starc’s toe-crushing yorkers and Travis Head’s scorching century. With the series knotted at 1-1, the stage is set for Brisbane. However, an unwanted guest is threatening to spoil the show: the weather.

Rain clouds and cricket dreams

The anticipation surrounding the Gabba Test has been tempered by concern, as weather projections portray a bleak picture. AccuWeather predicts an 88% likelihood of thunderstorms on the first day. Day two does not seem much brighter, with a 58% probability of rain, while day three threatens similar disruptions at 60%. Even day four has a lowered prediction of 55%. The fifth day, however, provides a ray of hope, with just a 1% probability of rain—a potential lifeline if the game lasts that long.

Could rain affect the outcome of this key test? With Brisbane’s unpredictable weather in play, teams may need to react quickly to enhance their chances.

The Gabba’s fiery pitch

While the sky may fall, the pitch at the Gabba is unlikely to disappoint. The surface, known for its speed and bounce, continues to be a favourite among fast bowlers. Curator David Sandurski has maintained that the wicket will retain its signature carry and liveliness, though he did hint at some seasonal fluctuations.

Batters, particularly from India, are preparing for a trial by fire. The Gabba’s bounce has always highlighted technical faults, and the Adelaide Test demonstrated how Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins can exploit any weak points in the armour.

India’s struggles in overcast conditions

The weather may present the Australian quicks with their ideal scenario: a cloudy sky and a swinging ball. India has frequently encountered similar situations, as seen by their recent 46 all-out in Bengaluru against New Zealand. Here’s why the clouds mean danger for India:

Technical flaws: Indian batters tend to play away from their bodies in cloudy circumstances, making them easy targets for swing bowlers.

Poor judgement: Choosing to bat first on difficult surfaces has cost India dearly in the past, as seen by the New Zealand series.

New ball blues: Vulnerability to the new ball has been a recurring theme, with early wickets frequently setting the tone for collapse.

Weather vs cricket: A test of grit

The Gabba, an oasis for Australia with 26 victories in 35 Tests since 1988, has a unique spot in cricket history. For India, memories of their remarkable chase in 2021 are still vivid, bringing both motivation and belief.

However, this time, the weather might be the final game changer. Will the damp and cloudy weather accentuate pace’s dominance? Or will the skies clear just enough for cricket to steal the spotlight? With a dynamic pitch and weather delays, each session might swing dramatically in any direction.

A race against time

For both sides, the aim will be to exploit opportunities rather than squander time. While India’s bowlers would need to repeat their heroics in Perth to salvage the series, Australia’s pacers could be drooling at the prospect of bowling in cloudy conditions. On the other hand, Batters must endure both the storm in the sky and the tempest on the pitch.

As Brisbane prepares for what might be a dramatic Test, one thing is sure: the weather may make as many headlines as the cricket. And with a series already complete of shocks, who’s to say it won’t?