And then eventually, India captain Rohit Sharma fell under the scanner for the Defense Day 2 of the ongoing 3rd Test against Australia in Brisbane. Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy started thus giving India a bright start, reducing Australia to 3/75 early in the morning session. It was only later, however, with centuries from Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101), that Australia scored leaves the first day of the Test at 405/7. Head was the force majeure for Australia as he ran almost run-a-ball in conjunction with the 241-run partnership with Smith.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, however, lashed at Rohit for putting up defensive field placements and allowing Head and Smith to dictate the proceedings.
“Worst setups,” Shastri was heard as speaking on-air while sharing his views about the field-placement tactics of Rohit.
Another former Australia opener, David Warner, also questioned the approach of Rohit and said that India should’ve probably attacked Head and Smith short balls.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel, however, admitted that the bowlers could not execute plans against Smith and Head after the match.
“First of all, we can say he’s (head) in pretty good form. But I think as far as we are concerned with the ball, overs 50 to 80, even in the last game, is where we were found wanting, leaking runs a little bit. So that’s one area I think we need to get better at,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference.
Morkel further said that the momentum could not be carried forward as the Indian bowlers bagged the first three wickets this morning.
“Early in the morning, wielding the ball, we seemed to be on a roll at 3 for 70. However, nothing could be taken away from the two world-class players, Smith, a guy who also can bat long and score runs. They (Smith and Head) put a partnership there and put us under pressure with a softer ball.
It’s definitely a part that we need to look into deep down in the innings; yes, we’ve got the game plans, but are we executing those game plans with a softer ball from both ends? That’s something where we need to build on getting more” added Morkel.
