The third match of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia began with disappointment for the spectators on the first day. Due to rain, the opening day’s play at Brisbane’s Gabba was called off after just 13.2 overs. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that no Indian captain had made on foreign soil for the last 10 years.
Team India Does This After 10 Years
The third Test match between India and Australia started at Brisbane’s Gabba ground on December 14. Australian captain Pat Cummins tossed the coin, and it fell in favor of Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit chose to bowl first after winning the toss. This marked the first time since 2014 that Team India opted to bowl first after winning the toss on foreign soil. The last instance was in 2014 when India played against New Zealand in Wellington.
Team India Has Suffered Losses Before
It is worth noting that whenever the Indian team has won the toss and chosen to bowl first in Australia, victory has always eluded them. India has taken this decision in eight matches in Australia, losing four matches to the Kangaroos, while the other four ended in a draw.
Since 1985, Australia Has Dominated Such Situations
Gabba has been a fortress for Australia in Test cricket. Since 1985, whenever a visiting team has won the toss and invited Australia to bat second at this historic ground, the visitors have faced defeat. Australia has consistently capitalized on such decisions, winning every game at Gabba since 1985 when they were asked to bowl first. Team India has followed the same risky path this time. Let’s hope this decision doesn’t backfire on Team India at Brisbane, as Rohit Sharma’s call at the toss could prove costly.
