Adam Gilchrist exposes Australia's 'illegal tactics' in Perth Test against India

Adam Gilchrist lashed out at the Pat Cummins-led Australia cricket team for employing what he termed as "negative and illegal" tactics during the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Gilchrist didn't hold back in his criticism of Australia, accusing the skipper, Pat Cummins, and his team of lacking character as India dominated towards the end of their second innings on day three of the five-match Test series opener at the Optus Stadium.

Adam Gilchrist fumes over Australia’s "uncharacteristic" tactics in Perth Test

Actually, Pat Cummins handed the ball to Marnus Labuschagne in a bid to control the relentless Indian batting after his main bowlers faltered under pressure instead of showing their true character and fighting for victory on Day 3 of the Perth Test.

Read Also: Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma’s family issues statement on circulation of son Akaay's alleged photos

Labuschagne was given the task of bowling outside the leg stump to restrict scoring opportunities for Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The field was heavily set on the leg side, with fielders spread across the boundary to control India's run flow.

Well, Pat Cummins’ decision to heavily rely on Marnus Labuschagne’s unconventional leg-side deliveries sparked widespread debate, leaving the iconic Australian wicketkeeper-batter fumed at the hosts.

Adam Gilchrist lambasted Australia for straying from their traditional fighting spirit, with some fans even comparing the tactics to a scandal larger than the infamous Cape Town sandpaper controversy.

India’s dominance sparks controversy as Gilchrist condemns Australia's tactics

India dictated terms throughout the match, amassing a formidable 487/6 before declaring, leaving Australia with an intimidating target of 534 runs. With centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, coupled with a blistering finish from Nitish Kumar Reddy, India's dominance left the hosts in disarray.

Despite these tactics, Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy dismantled the strategy with ease, finding the gap in the leg side and even taking bold aerial shots, leaving the Australian team’s shameless plan in the dumps with the youngster scoring 38 runs from just 27 deliveries.

Read Also: Josh Hazlewood confirms dressing room rift, gets attacked by Michael Vaughan for dividing Australian team

Adam Gilchrist was quoted as saying by PTI, “Have you ever seen such a despondent team of Australian cricketers resorting to those tactics? What are deemed negative, illegal tactics really by the rulebook?”

I wonder if there’s a divide in the Australian cricket team: Adam Gilchrist

The legendary cricketer questioned the unity in the Australian team after India won the first Test by 295 runs on November 25 in Perth. Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket, “I wonder if there’s a divide in Andrew McDonald’s team between the batters and bowlers,” after Josh Hazlewood said on being asked about batters’ approach, “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question... I’m probably looking mostly towards the next Test.”

On the other hand, former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket: “It's not something I've seen before from Australia."