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Did Rohit Sharma Commit A Blunder By Bowling First In IND vs AUS 3rd Test In Brisbane?

Debashis Sarangi

Rohit opted to bowl first in Brisbane Test [Source: AP]Rohit opted to bowl first in Brisbane Test [Source: AP]

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The high-voltage third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match between India and Australia has got underway. With the scoreline reading one-all, we anticipate a cracking contest between two formidable teams, which have given each other a run for the money so far. 

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and took an interesting call of bowling first in the third Test against Australia. However, as the Indian bowlers couldn't pick a wicket in the first eleven overs, the Indian fans raised questions over Rohit's decision at the toss. 

Did Rohit Sharma Commit A Blunder by deciding to bowl first? Let's analyse and find out. 

Why Did Rohit Sharma Opt To Bowl In Brisbane Test vs Australia?

There are three primary reasons why Rohit Sharma decided to bowl in the third Test against Australia. 

Overall Test Record At The Gabba

Statistically, teams bowling first have been slightly more successful at The Gabba, securing 27 wins as compared to 26 by the teams batting first. More importantly, the teams batting second have won three of the last four Tests at this venue since 2021. So, this might have prompted Rohit Sharma to bowl first on day 1. 

Pitch and Overcast conditions

The surface at Brisbane contains a tinge of green and generally offers slightly more zip and bounce at this time of the year. It's a fresher track than what the hosts dished out for the historic clash in 2021. Furthermore, Rohit clearly mentioned the overcast conditions as a reason behind India bowling first in the game, and again, this seems logical and valid. 

Less Trust On India's Batting Unit

Apart from the playing conditions, the Indian batters' recent struggles against the moving ball is also something that might've prompted Rohit to bowl first. The Indian batters haven't shown enough grit and determination to play out the Aussies' hostile spells, and India certainly avoided another batting collapse by letting the hosts bat under trickier circumstances. 

Is Rohit Sharma's Decision At The Toss A Tactical Blunder? 

Although batting first is generally considered traditional in Test cricket, The Gabba offers seam-friendly conditions initially, with the track becoming better for batting later. The Indian bowlers were slightly short in terms of their length, and given that Khawaja and McSweeney have played all their cricket for Queensland at this venue, it was a tough task for the visitors to outfox them. Thus, Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first seems to be in the best interest of the team and shouldn't be criticised.