Venue Analysis: Stage set for pacers to light up the Gabba

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 is at a crucial juncture, with both India and Australia even at 1-1. The upcoming third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane will tell us who will take the all-important lead in this epic five-match Test series.

Both teams have had contrasting records at this venue in recent times, with India breaching Australia's 32-year dominance back in 2021. Apart from the defeat against India three years ago, Australia also lost a pink-ball Test at this venue earlier this year against the West Indies.

The toss has not played much of a role in the last 14 years, as teams have batted first after winning the toss in 13 of the 14 instances. However, they have managed to win only four games.  

India and Australia have had seven Tests at the Gabba with Australia winning five games. Their only defeat came during the last BGT where they lost the series-decider by three wickets.

Team India’s batting at this venue has been decent since 2000 as they have been bowled out under 200 only once in six innings.

Australia have won eight of the last 10 Tests at this venue. Apart from a 39-run win against Pakistan in 2016, the rest of the seven wins have been very comfortable for the Aussies. 

Amongst all the visiting teams in Brisbane in Tests since 2000, India have the best average per wicket and per innings against Australia as they have scored nearly 300 runs on an average in an innings.  

With Hazlewood back in the mix, the pacers of both India and Australia will be expected to play a vital role. Pacers have outshined spinners in Brisbane, with an average of 23.4 compared to 41.6.

Of all the venues in Australia, Brisbane has been the most successful venue for the pacers, as they have taken 27 wickets every Test match on an average.

Pacers have been equally impactful across the first four days of a Test match since 2019. They are taking wickets every 45 balls. But, spinners have not been able to make much of an impact as they average 40+ on the majority of the Test match.

Pacers have been taking over 80% of wickets across the three sessions. They have averaged 22 in session one, 27 in session two and 20 in session three, showing the seamers have found help for the entire day.  

Sheffield Shield at the Gabba since 2022

The average runs per innings scored in the first and second innings is over 250. The average runs per wicket for the third innings drops to 20.8 from 31.2 in the second. Like other venues, the third and fourth innings scores have mostly been less than 200.

Pacers have averaged 25 at the Gabba in Sheffield Shield games, taking more than 85% of the wickets. Spinners are conceding more runs and are taking far less wickets compared to pacers.

Pacers average less than 30 in all four innings of Sheffield Shield games. The bowling in the third innings has been the most impactful, with seamers averaging 18.9.

The Gabba has been one of the best venues for pacers in Sheffield Shield over the last couple of years. They average well at 25.1 with 7.2 wickets per innings.

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