India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, Brisbane, has drawn criticism. Former England captain Michael Vaughan and ex-Australia pacer Brendon Julian believe the choice benefited Australia, particularly skipper Pat Cummins, who seemed relieved to avoid making a tricky decision.
A Controversial Call at the Toss
The Gabba is historically a stronghold for Australia, though the fortress has been breached twice in recent years—by India in 2021 and the West Indies earlier this year. However, Australia has not lost a Test in Brisbane after being put in to bat since 1985.
Speaking on Fox Cricket, Vaughan expressed his disapproval, suggesting that Cummins would have been happy with Rohit’s decision. “It’s one of those situations where I think Pat Cummins was absolutely delighted to have lost the toss. He probably would have leaned towards batting due to the Gabba’s history, but I’m sure he was relieved that Rohit opted to bowl first,” Vaughan said.
Brendon Julian echoed Vaughan’s sentiments, adding that while the pitch looked green during practice, it didn’t appear to be a bowl-first surface on the morning of the match.
Rain Disrupts Play on Day 1
Rain interrupted the first session, further frustrating India’s bowlers, who failed to capitalize on the conditions. Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney handled the new ball effectively, denying India early breakthroughs.
The first rain delay came in the 6th over, lasting about 30 minutes. Another stoppage occurred in the 14th over, forcing both teams to retreat to the pavilion. The Indian bowlers struggled to extract any significant movement, missing a crucial opportunity to trouble Australia’s top order on a green pitch.
Changes in Playing XI
Both teams made adjustments to their lineups for this crucial Test. India brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana. Australia made a single change, with Josh Hazlewood returning to the side in place of Scott Boland.
The Gabba crowd also created a tense atmosphere, as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was booed, continuing the hostility that began during the Adelaide Test.
Series at a Crucial Juncture
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy level at 1-1, the Brisbane Test holds significant importance for both sides. While rain disrupted play on Day 1, the remainder of the match promises to be a battle of strategies, with Rohit Sharma’s decision at the toss likely to remain a talking point throughout the game.
