Rohit Sharma’s leadership faced criticism once again during Day 2 of the third Test against Australia, as India struggled to contain Travis Head’s blistering century. Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Michael Vaughan expressed their confusion over some of Rohit’s on-field decisions, particularly regarding field placements. Head’s commanding performance, which saw him score his third century against India in his last four Tests, played a significant role in Australia’s formidable first-innings total of 445 runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Questionable Field Placements Against Head
One moment that caught the attention of experts occurred when Head powered a cut shot that narrowly missed Virat Kohli, stationed square of the batter. Kohli, positioned just 20 meters away, could hardly react to the ferocious stroke, leading to questions about the wisdom of the field setup.
Speaking during commentary, former India coach Ravi Shastri criticized India’s defensive approach. He noted that the field placements against Head reflected a reluctance to take calculated risks, even when a potential wicket was at stake.
“When you see that field, it can cost you dearly,” Shastri remarked. “The approach seemed to be containment rather than going for a wicket. But with Head in this form, you can’t contain him. If five fielders are on the boundary and he’s still finding gaps for boundaries, he’s scoring at seven or eight runs an over. That’s when the real trouble starts.”
Vaughan and O’Keeffe Weigh In
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also criticized Rohit’s inconsistent tactics, highlighting the absence of a clear plan.
“They don’t stick with a tactic long enough,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket. “Are they trying to nick him off? Why not try bouncing him out or going full and wide with a packed off-side field?”
Fox Cricket expert Kerry O’Keeffe echoed similar sentiments, describing Rohit’s captaincy as overly defensive.
“This wasn’t Rohit Sharma’s best day as skipper,” O’Keeffe commented. “He might argue the flat pitch forced him to spread fielders out, but you have to take the fight to Australia. Pressure is what gets you wickets.”
A Tough Streak for Rohit’s Captaincy
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India has now lost four consecutive Tests, including a rare home whitewash. These defeats, coupled with lapses in on-field tactics, have intensified scrutiny of his leadership. As India struggles to regain control in the ongoing series, the team will need to reassess their strategies and find ways to counter Australia’s dominant batting lineup.
