IND vs AUS 2nd Test: Why Did Jasprit Bumrah Bowl Only 4 Overs? Rohit Sharma Under Scanner

The second day of the Pink-Ball Test between India and Australia in Adelaide saw Captain Rohit Sharma under scrutiny for his decision-making as Australia gained the upper hand. After resuming play, Australia added 105 runs in 26 overs during the morning session, riding on the aggressive batting of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. Despite losing three wickets, Australia surpassed India's modest first-innings total of 180.

Early Breakthroughs by Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s standout performer, provided early breakthroughs, dismissing Nathan McSweeney and the dangerous Steve Smith. The vice-captain also broke a budding 65-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping India in the hunt. However, Sharma's decision to remove Bumrah from the attack after just four overs raised eyebrows, especially given the bowler's form and ability to create pressure with the pink ball.

Rohit’s Tactical Missteps

The introduction of Harshit Rana as the third seamer backfired as the youngster conceded 38 runs in a five-over spell, including an expensive over that went for 17 runs. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne, who had reached a well-crafted half-century. Despite some breakthroughs, a lack of fielding proactiveness and questionable bowling changes left Australia largely unpressured throughout the session.

Sharper Tactics After Tea
Rohit’s decisions improved post-Tea, as he brought on Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah to resume the attack. The move paid off when Ashwin dismissed Mitchell Marsh, reducing Australia to five wickets down with just over 200 runs on the board.

Contrast in Leadership Styles
The stark contrast between Sharma’s approach and Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership in the first Test in Perth was evident. Under Bumrah’s captaincy, India defended a first-innings total of 150 and secured a dominant 295-run win, gaining an early edge in the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series.

With three Tests remaining, Sharma will need to refine his tactical decisions to help India bounce back and stay competitive in the series.

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