Who said what - top 5 expert reactions slamming Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test ft. Michael Vaughan
Though Indian skipper Rohit Sharma called it right, did he make the right choice after all? After winning the toss on the opening day (December 14) of the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test at The Gabba, Rohit decided to bowl first, asking the hosts to come out to bat.
The overcast conditions might have been a factor that influenced his decision to bowl first. However, it so appeared that the Indian bowlers were searching for swing in the first few overs which was simply not there. They did bowl some disciplined lines and lengths later on to gain control, but their inability to find swing in the initial overs had a story to tell regarding Rohit's decision to bowl first.
Eventually, only 13.2 overs of play was possible before the day was washed out due to heavy and persistent rainfall at The Gabba. Australia ended with a score of 28 for loss on the board.
The Indian captain's decision did not find favor from the experts as many called Rohit Sharma out for making the wrong choice by opting to bowl first after having won the toss.
Top 5 expert reactions slamming Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
#1 Michael Vaughan
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan stated that it was a good toss to lose for Australia after Rohit elected to bowl first.
"I think Pat Cummins was absolutely delighted to have lost it (the toss)," Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
Vaughan stated that Rohit made it easier for Pat Cummins by deciding to bowl first.
“He didn’t have to make the call. Probably would have swayed on batting due to the history of this venue, but I think he was quite happy Rohit Sharma said we will have a bowl first," the former English cricketer added.
#2 Matthew Hayden
Another well-known former cricketer and expert, Australian Matthew Hayden expressed his surprise with Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first.
“I was really surprised that actually, Rohit won the toss and decided to bowl, because I felt like it was over-prepared. I thought it was because of the how much weather," he told Star Sports.
Hayden went on to explain why batting first would have been ideal given the weather conditions leading up to the Test match.
Talking about the pitch, he said:
"I felt like it was over-prepared. There were almost 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks. And so we've got this showery pattern and it's been that way for a month and a bit. The groundsman would have been thinking, 'we've got to get our preparation in early', and that's why I thought that it was going to be good batting conditions in the first two days, with the view that it will break up, and turn."
#3 Brett Lee
Another former Australia great, fast-bowler Brett Lee questioned Rohit Sharma's call to bowl first after winning the toss.
While India looked as though they wanted to make the most of the pitch given the overcast conditions, Lee was not impressed by the decision.
“I think India made a mistake by bowling first in this Test. The surface is going to harden as the match progresses and the batting would become difficult. The remaining innings would see batters struggling and batting in the fourth innings is never easy over here," he told Star Sports.
#4 Brendon Julian
Former Australian left-arm quick Brendon Julian also agreed with Vaughan, stating that it was a good toss to lose for the hosts.
“Good one to lose," Julian told Fox Cricket.
“I think the lead up to this Test was a lot of rain and when the players came out for their practice sessions before they had a look at it, it was green. But out there this morning I didn’t think it was a bowl first pitch this morning," Julian further said.
#5 Parthiv Patel
Former Indian cricketer turned expert Parthiv Patel was also unhappy with Rohit Sharma's decision, stating that winning the toss and bowling first at The Gabba was against the usual trend.
“I think the decision was based on the overcast conditions and the moisture in the pitch. We also heard from Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma that the spikes were going in. There was a lot of moisture. But if we look at the decision, it is against the trend," Parthiv said on Cricbuzz.
"Most of the teams, no matter what the conditions are, prefer to bat first because it is difficult to bat in the 4th or 5th inning. Also, if the pitch is slow due to the moisture, the batter gets a little time to adjust to the sea movement. And as the game is played, the pitch gets faster, which we also saw in Perth. So, it was surprising that India decided to bowl first," he added.