Did Pat Cummins miss a trick with 'conservative' move after Travis Head and Steve Smith heroics?

Cricket fans and commentators are questioning whether Pat Cummins missed a trick by not declaring near the end of the second day against India at the Gabba. The Aussies went to stumps at 7-405 after Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101) put the Indian bowlers to the sword in the third Test.

But many were surprised that Cummins didn't declare on Sunday evening and send India in for a tricky period near the end of the day's play. With only 13 overs bowled on day one on Saturday, the match is effectively a four-day Test.

And with more bad weather forecast for the next three days, there might not be much opportunity for Australia to bowl India out twice. Sunday's play was started 30 minutes early and the aim was to bowl 98 overs, but even then there was only 88.

It means Australia will still be batting on the morning of day three, but many believe they could have declared on Sunday night. The last thing the Indian openers would have wanted was to face a tricky 30-40 minute period facing Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood with the new ball in fading light.

Cricket world questions Pat Cummins over lack of declaration

Greg Blewett said on Channel 7: "The only thing that they'll be monitoring I reckon, is the light tonight. You'd hate to be in a dominant position, then declare and then not have much play because of bad light. I hate to remind everyone as well of the forecast, which is going to see more time taken out of this match.

"What is noticeable at the moment is the clouds have come in. It's a lot darker overhead and you can even see the lights at the top of the stands starting to take effect. So, it could be a nasty little 30 minutes or 40 minutes, depending what happens here if Australia decide to declare. We have seen throughout the series late in days plenty can happen."

There's a 60 per cent chance of rain in Brisbane on Monday, as well as 55 per cent on Tuesday and 50 per cent on Wednesday. There's also thunderstorms predicted for Wednesday, which will be the fifth day of the Test.

Because India hold the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia need to win the series outright to regain it. A draw in the third Test wouldn't be much gain for Australia as it would give India a better chance to draw the series and retain the trophy.

The score was 6-327 when Head was finally dismissed, and many thought it was the perfect chance to have a bowl at Indians after a draining day in the field. But Alex Carey (45 not out), Cummins (20) and Starc (seven not out) all went out to bat.

Travis Head and Steve Smith make history in third cricket Test

Jasprit Bumrah played a lone hand again for India on Sunday, taking 5-72 as he looked the only man likely to break through. The Indian quick struck twice early on day two and then took three more wickets with the second new ball, but the day belonged to Head and Smith.

The paid came together at 3-75 with Australia in a tricky position. But they put on a record partnership of 241 - the highest by an Australian pair in Tests against India. Smith broke a long century drought with the 33rd of his career, taking him past Steve Waugh into outright second for most by Australians in Tests - only behind Ricky Ponting (41).