'That's one of the reasons why India must have opted to field first': Ravi Shastri's interesting take on Australian batter's poor form in BGT 2024-25
Former India player Ravi Shastri has opined that Rohit Sharma wanted to put the shaky Australian batting unit under pressure, and particularly expose Usman Khawaja up front in the third Test at The Gabba. The Men in Blue had opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision which drew plenty of flak after a wicket-less rain-curtailed first day.
The new-look opening pair of Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja have not fired consistently in the series so far. There has been a lot of speculation surrounding Khawaja's career, and the veteran is not making a solid case for himself to play another summer at home.
The left-handed batter scored only 34 runs across the first two Tests of the series, and has looked uncomfortable against the Indian seam-attack.
Ravi Shastri opined that David Warner's absence at the other end has played a role in his woeful run, and believed it to be a factor in India's decision to bowl first despite Australia's dominant record.
"It does effect you big time, because a lot of the pressure is taken off you as a batsman (when) you can play your own game, leave a lot of balls because David (Warner) would attack at the other end. There's a player with intent, and the scoreboard will be ticking along," Ravi Shastri said on Fox Cricket (via Yahoo Sports).
"When runs are not coming at both ends, that's one of the reasons why India must have opted to field first because they could have sensed an opportunity. The top order hasn't scored some runs, let's make some early inroads and put pressure on the middle order," he added.
India had opted to bat first after winning the toss in Perth and Adelaide earlier in the series. Australia last lost a Test at The Gabba after being put into bat first, back in 1985.
Khawaja dismissed for 21 runs by Bumrah in the first session on Day 2, proving Shastri right
The left-handed batter resumed from his overnight score of 19 on Day 2 at The Gabba. He got underway with a couple of runs with his very first delivery of the day, but then faced five straight dot balls, before being dismissed in the fourth over of the day.
Khawaja was once again forced to push forward to defend off Jasprit Bumrah from around the wicket. The straightening delivery along with the angle led to the outside edge coming into play, and a simple catch for Rishabh Pant.