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Glenn McGrath and Rohit Sharma (File Photo: X)
The all-important third Test between Australia and India kicked off with a ‘washed-off’ first day at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. The Aussies got a steady start as both the openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney survived the ‘early threats’ without losing any wickets.
At the time of the rain interruption, Australia had scored 28 runs for no loss in 13.2 overs as Indian pacer Akash Deep was bowling the 14th over of the innings.
He doesn’t want to get out there and bat – Glenn McGrath on Rohit Sharma
Meanwhile, the former legendary Australia pacer Glenn McGrath has come up with some bold and blunt remarks while speaking about Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. McGrath also questioned his decision to bowl first after winning the toss.
“I’m not surprised that Rohit Sharma won the toss and bowled. He doesn’t want to get out there and bat. The thing is if you bowl first and it goes pear-shaped, that looks bad in the media, whereas if you bat first and it goes poorly, it is a ‘gutsy decision to bat first,” said McGrath on ABC Radio.
Notably, Rohit Sharma’s performances as a batter and skipper have not been very impressive in the ongoing calendar year [2024]. He has lost five Tests while winning only two out of 12 he has played as skipper for India, scoring 597 runs as a batter with a below-par batting average of 27.13.
In the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024, Rohit was out of action from the Test series opener as he was on paternal leave. India played under the captaincy of stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test and defeated Australia by 295 runs. Later when the 37-year-old came back to the playing XI as skipper in the second Test, he batted in the middle-order and failed miserably in both innings.
Now, it is highly expected that the Indian skipper might bat as an opener in the ongoing third Test against Pat Cummins’ men.