Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first left me surprised: Matthew Hayden

Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden revealed that Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first at the toss during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane left him surprised. Notably, the India skipper won the toss and elected to bowl first in the third match of the series. Explaining the reasoning behind this decision, the India skipper said that he wanted his bowlers to make full use of the overcast conditions as the wicket had a tinge of green on the surface.

However, much to everyone’s surprise, the wicket didn’t behave as the India captain anticipated, as his bowlers didn’t get any assistance from it in the first session nor was the ball moving in the air. The behaviour of the pitch made everyone question Rohit’s decision to bowl first and Matthe Hayden also weighed in his opinion on the matter.

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The former opener said that he was left surprised with Rohit’s call as Brisbane had witnessed heavy rains in the lead-up to the Test match.

“I was really surprised that actually, Rohit won the toss and decided to bowl, because I felt like it was over-prepared. I thought it was because of the how much weather. There were almost 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks. And so we’ve got this showery pattern and it’s been that way for a month and a bit. So the groundsman would have been thinking, we’ve got to get our preparation in early, and that’s why I thought that it was gonna be as good a batting conditions as you’re gonna see now in these first two days, with the view that it will break up and, and turn,” said Hayden on Star Sports.

Further speaking ahead, Hayden mentioned how the cracks will open up on the pitch after the first few days which will bring spinners into play.

“And we’ve seen some great performances from spinners across the world at this venue and, If we do get decent weather, and that’s the fingers crossed at est because of the reasons I just mentioned, there are cracks in the wicket. Yeah, we just had days of, and in fact, one month of rain. The wicket was quite sluggish early, it will harden up a little bit, assuming that we do get the, the weather that, um, is typical of Queensland weather, which is perfect one day and even more perfect the next,” he added.

Australia scored 28/0 in the first session

Meanwhile, Indian bowlers didn’t have a memorable outing in the first session as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah took some time to find the right line and length for the surface. On the other hand, Mohammed Siraj was being timely taken on by Usman Khawaja. However, after the rain break, the Indian bowling unit looked a lot better having found the right length to bowl on the surface.

But much to their dismay, just when they looked threatening, rain once again interrupted the proceedings leading to frustration in the Indian camp. At the time of interruption, Australia were 28/0 in 13.2 overs with McSweeney (4*) and Khawaja (19*) at the crease. With the rain not subsiding, the umpires called in early lunch on Day 1.

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