India looked completely devoid of ideas as Steve Smith and Travis Head unleashed a batting masterclass, leaving the tour struggling on day two of the ongoing third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Smith and Head's explosive centuries propelled Australia into a commanding position, as they ended the day on 405/7 at stumps, exposing India's lack of effective tactics to counter their attack.
Former cricketers have criticized captain Rohit Sharma after Australia's attack in Brisbane
This adds to India's problems Rohit SharmaThe team's leadership lacked that spark and imagination needed to turn the tide in their favor when Travis Head and Steve Smith were brutally hammering their bowlers around the Gabba in Brisbane in the decisive third Test match.
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Criticizing captain Rohit Sharma in the ongoing Gabba Test, former Australian cricketer Kerry O'Keefe pointed out that his fielding missed the mark, allowing Australia to take control without much of a fight on day two.
O'Keefe felt Rohit had a bad day as captain in Brisbane. The well-known commentator also pointed out that India's inability to apply consistent pressure made the task more difficult for the bowlers, who were left scrambling for breakthroughs.
Don't think Rohit Sharma had his best days as captain: Kerry O'Keefe
O'Keefe also pointed out that the Indian cricket team's poor execution of tactics and defensive approach left them with a mountain to climb, as Australia completely dominated the crucial Test match in Galle.
“I don't think Rohit Sharma had his best day as captain. He'll say the pitch was so good that we were just trying to control it through the players, but you had to put pressure on Australia and get them out,” Fox Sports quoted Kerry O'Keefe as saying.
The former Australian cricketer added: “His success is based on Travis Head, who steps in and separates himself from the consequences; He is not afraid of failure. He doesn't look at the scorecard; He looks at the bowling and the pitch…that's what you strive for in cricket.
Meanwhile, India's lack of a clear strategy has been heavily criticized by the former England captain Michael Vaughan He criticized Rohit Sharma and the bowlers' hesitant style against Australia during the Gabba Test. He felt that the Indian team failed to stick to a single game plan on the second day.
Michael Vaughan criticizes Rohit Sharma's captaincy in Gabba Test
The Indian cricket team has wrangled half-hearted attempts without committing to a single approach, and this inconsistency has allowed Travis Head and Steve Smith to flourish in Brisbane.
With no set plan, be it targeting the flanks, using aggressive short balls, or setting traps with fuller deliveries, the Indian team's efforts failed, and Vaughan believes the absence of a solid strategy exposed cracks in their preparation and execution in a crucial match. Test moment series.
“They don't settle on the tactic long enough,” Michael Vaughan said on Fox Sports during the Gabba test. “Are they trying to sneak him in? Why aren't they trying to clear him out? Why don't they go full and wide and pack the offside?”
However, Ravi Shastri had earlier defended Rohit's captaincy as the former Indian coach blamed the Indian bowlers for Australia having the upper hand in the ongoing Gabba Test.
