The ongoing third Test between Australia and India is heading towards a draw as the final day of the fixture is likely to be hindered by rain, according to Australia’s Bureau Meteorology.
A total of only 192 overs could be bowled over the course of four days with India amassing 252/9 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 445.
India’s batting tail displayed remarkable resilience as they lifted the visitors to avoid the follow-on by adding valuable runs in the dying minutes of the penultimate day and reduced Australia’s chances of forcing the result.
On the final day, which would be comprised of a maximum of 98 overs, the hosts would now need to take India’s last wicket, bat for about 20 overs to set a target of around the 300-run mark and then give themselves around 70 overs to bowl India out.
But the rain prediction serves as the massive roadblock between Australia and the lead-securing victory.
"High chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon," said Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. "The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe."
Australia's assistant coach Daniel Vettori, however, saw a positive side of the rain affecting the majority of the third Test as he claimed that it had kept their ace pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
"The weather, in terms of the breaks, allowed Mitch and Patty to come back on multiple occasions whereas if we'd played out the full 90 overs it would have been a lot tougher to manage."
"We always have the luxury of Nathan and his ability to bowl a lot of overs. So that alleviated a bit of the concern but it's always a tough one with a world class bowler being out," he added.
