India’s performance on Day 1 of the Sydney Test against Australia has sparked intense debate, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan weighing in on two key decisions: Rohit Sharma’s choice to sit out and stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s call to bat first.
Rohit Sharma’s Bold Move Earns Praise
Pathan lauded Rohit Sharma’s decision to opt out of the crucial Test owing to his poor form with the bat. Calling it a “selfless decision,” Pathan highlighted the rarity of such moves.
“It is a selfless decision, and what Captain Rohit did today, you will not see many captains doing that. It can only happen when you are secure. Rohit is a very secure player,” Pathan shared during a discussion on Star Sports.
Rohit’s absence made way for Shubman Gill, while Prasidh Krishna replaced the injured Akash Deep.
Bumrah’s Decision to Bat First Under Fire
The decision that drew more criticism, however, was Jasprit Bumrah’s choice to bat first on a green-top pitch under overcast conditions. India, trailing 1-2 in the series, struggled against Australia’s pacers, folding for just 185 in 72.2 overs.
Pathan expressed his reservations about the call, stating he had hoped India would lose the toss.
“I would be happy if India had lost the toss in the Sydney Test. I knew that India would bat first, considering the history of the iconic venue. However, a lot of grass has been left on the pitch, and with the weather not good, the call to bowl first should have been considered.”
Despite the criticism, Pathan urged the batters to stand by the skipper’s decision. “The batters will have to back the decision and put runs on the board. It is a brave call, but you need to stick to it,” he added.
Batting Struggles Exposed
India’s batting unit faltered under challenging conditions. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 40 runs off 98 balls, but the team failed to build partnerships. Pathan didn’t hold back in criticizing the batters’ dismissals.
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“Barring the dismissals of Jaiswal and Jadeja (which moved from the stump line) – The others had nothing to do with the spice on the pitch,” he wrote on X.
India’s bowlers managed to make an early breakthrough, dismissing Usman Khawaja before stumps on Day 1. Bumrah’s late strike provided a morale boost for the visitors, who will now rely on their bowlers to keep them in the contest.
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