Rohit Sharma's captaincy tarnished; dark clouds roaming over future

India looked completely out of ideas as Steve Smith and Travis Head unleashed a batting masterclass, leaving the touring struggling on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Smith and Head’s explosive centuries pushed Australia into a commanding position, as they finished the day on 405/7 at the stumps, exposing India's lack of effective tactics to counter their onslaught.

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy slammed by former cricketers after Australia’s onslaught in Brisbane

Adding to India's woes, Rohit Sharma’s captaincy lacked that spark and imagination needed to turn the tide in their favor when Travis Head and Steve Smith were brutally hammering the bowlers all around the Gabba in Brisbane in the crucial third Test match.

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Slamming Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the ongoing Gabba Test, former Australian cricketer Kerry O'Keeffe has pointed out that his field placements missed the mark, allowing Australia to dominate without much fight on Day 2.

O'Keeffe felt Rohit had a bad day as a captain in Brisbane. The well-known commentator also pointed out that India’s inability to apply consistent pressure only made the task tougher for the bowlers, who were left scrambling for breakthroughs.

Don't think Rohit Sharma has had his best day as skipper: Kerry O'Keeffe

O'Keeffe further noted that the Indian cricket team’s poor execution of plans and defensive approach left them with a mountain to climb, as Australia took full control of the crucial Test match at The Galle.

Kerry O'Keeffe was quoted as saying by Fox Sports: “I don't think Rohit Sharma has had his best day as skipper. He will say the pitch was so good that we were just trying to control it with outfielders, but you had to pressure Australia and get them out.”

The former Australian cricketer added, “At the base of his success is Travis Head, who walks in and detaches from consequence; he doesn't fear failure. He doesn't look out the scorecard; he looks at the bowling and the pitch… it's what you strive for in cricket.”

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Meanwhile, India’s lack of a clear strategy came under fire as former England captain Michael Vaughan slammed Rohit Sharma and his bowlers’ hesitant approach against Australia during the Gabba Test. He felt the Indian team failed to stick to a single game plan on Day 2.

Michael Vaughan slams Rohit Sharma's captaincy in the Gabba Test

The Indian cricket team scuffled between half-hearted attempts without committing to a single approach, and this inconsistency allowed Travis Head and Steve Smith to thrive in Brisbane.

With no definitive plan, be it targeting edges, employing aggressive short balls, or setting up traps with fuller deliveries, the Indian team’s efforts fell flat, and Vaughan believes that the absence of a solid strategy exposed cracks in their preparation and execution at a crucial moment of the Test series.

Michael Vaughan said on Fox Sports during the Gabba Test: “They don't settle on a tactic for long enough. Are they trying to sneak him off? Why don't they try to bounce him out? Why don't they go full and wide and pack the off-side?”

However, Ravi Shastri earlier defended Rohit’s captaincy as the former Indian head coach blamed the Indian bowlers for Australia taking the upper hand in the ongoing Gabba Test.