Mohammed Siraj cops brutal act from Aussie cricket fans at Gabba after Travis Head drama

India's second Test 'villain' Mohammed Siraj has felt the wrath of Aussie cricket fans at the Gabba after being booed during a rain-interrupted opening session of the third Test in Brisbane. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, with the greenish Gabba wicket and overcast conditions in Brisbane behind the decision. "It's a little bit overcast and there is a little bit of grass," Rohit said. "It looks a little soft as well. We want to try and make the best use of the conditions and see what we can do with the ball up front."

Aussie captain Pat Cummins suggested he was a little unsure about whether the hosts would have batted or bowled first if they won the toss. "It looks like a good wicket. Hopefully plenty of runs out there," Cummins said. "It's been a fantastic series so far, I think we've got a sell out at the Gabba today so it's going to be pretty lively out there."

Play lasted just 5.3 overs before the first showers of the day halted proceedings, although the Aussies would have been encouraged by their start after Siraj and India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah failed to extract much swing in the favourable conditions. Usman Khawaja took the responsibility off opening partner Nathan McSweeney to face the first ball and he looked comfortable and relatively untroubled after hitting two boundaries before the covers went on.

Home fans also made their feelings clear for India's public enemy No.1 Siraj, who was booed as he warmed up and steamed into bowl during the early proceedings. Siraj was at the centre of an ugly war of words with second Test centurion Head in Adelaide, with both players sanctioned by the ICC but only Siraj fined after the heated send-off involving the Aussie batter.

The Aussie openers made it to 28 runs without the loss of a wicket before the second downpour of the opening session once again forced the covers to come out and play to be delayed. Khawaja looked solid after moving to 19 (off 43 balls), while McSweeney played a much more patient knock to remain unbeaten on four (off 33) as heavier rain set in at the Gabba.

Josh Hazlewood replaces Scott Boland in Aussie side

The Aussies made just the one change from the side that romped to a commanding 10-wicket win over India in the second Test in Adelaide, with Josh Hazlewood coming back into the side at the expense of the unlucky Scott Boland. Hazlewood has returned after missing the second Test with a side strain, with Boland making way despite impressing with figures of 5-105 in Adelaide.

Meanwhile India has made two changes to the side that was comprehensively outplayed in Adelaide, with Akash Deep and spinner Ravindra Jadeja coming into the team at the expense of Harshit Rana and Ravi Ashwin. Deep has taken 10 wickets in five Tests for India, but was left out of their side for the start of the tour after being largely ineffective at home against New Zealand.

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Jadeja's call-up means India have used three spinners across the first three Tests, with Washington Sundar playing in Perth and Ashwin in India. KL Rahul is again listed to open with the out-of-form Rohit expected to stay at No.6 for the tourists. With the series delicately poised at 1-1 both sides know victory in the crucial third Test will go a long way to clinching the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

with AAP