Rohit Sharma declared clueless as Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan slam his defensive captaincy in Brisbane

The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India is already underway and the hosts have tightened their grip on this game. Travis Head and Steve Smith emerged as the heroes for Australia as they slammed magnificent hundreds on Day 2.

The knocks from these batters have put India on the back foot. Cricket experts Ravi Shastri and Michael Vaughan were not pleased with India's plans on the day and slammed the skipper Rohit Sharma for being too defensive.

While Ravi Shastri criticized India for not taking the risk against Travis Head, Vaughan was baffled by the way the Men in Blue changed tactics without sticking to it for a longer period of time.

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Ravi Shastri slams Rohit Sharma for being defensive

During the match, a period came when Travis Head was reaching close to the three-figure mark. The left-hander went for a fierce cut at one ball that went past Virat Kohli, who was standing square on the off side.

Kohli was hardly 20 meters away from the ball but couldn't stop due to the power that Head applied to it. While Head had hit the ball hard enough to clear Kohli, the field placement didn't quite sit well with Ravi Shastri.

Ravi Shastri, who was doing the commentary at that time, lashed out at Rohit Sharma for not willing to take the risk of picking up the big wicket in exchange for quick runs. According to Shastri, India were not attacking enough in their approach but Travis Head still scored runs at a good pace.

“When you see the field set, that can cost you big time. I mentioned some time ago that the idea might be to contain and see if a wicket comes, but you are not going to contain Australia setting this field. With these two players playing the way they are, and Head in particular, looking to get a boundary every over," Ravi Shastri said.

"There is absolutely no doubt about that. He will get it. Then the problems start if five fielders are out at the boundary and he is still getting the boundary, he is getting seven or eight runs an over easily. The runs are there to be taken,” Ravi Shastri added.

Travis Head scores a brisk hundred

Travis Head scored runs at a brisk pace from the moment he arrived at the crease. He continued his good form and made sure to put Australia ahead in the game. The left-hander arrived when Australia were in a spot of bother at 75-3 at one stage.

He smashed the bowlers all around the ground and threw counter-punches at the Indian bowlers. He reached his century off just 115 balls. Head was finally dismissed for a brilliant 152 off just 160 balls. He struck 18 fours during his belligerent knock.

Michael Vaughan not happy with India's plans

Along with Ravi Shastri, former England captain Michael Vaughan was also perplexed with India's plans and lashed out at Rohit Sharma for not sticking to a particular tactic for long enough.

“They don’t settle on a tactic for long enough. Are they trying to snick him off? Why don’t they try to bounce him out? Why don’t they go full and wide, pack the off side?” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

Meanwhile, Australia have surged ahead in the Test match after scoring 445 in the first innings. While Indian bowlers were disappointing, Jasprit Bumrah picked up a magnificent six-wicket haul in a lone shining performance for the visitors.

In reply, India were rocked early by the Australian fast bowlers, who used the new ball exceptionally well. India were 48-4 before rain played spoilsport on the third day with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma at the crease. KL Rahul is batting on 30 while Rohit Sharma is yet to open his account.