Rohit Sharma's leadership under scrutiny once more; Shastri, Vaughan puzzled by Kohli's position: 'Could have serious repercussions'

Head's phenomenal performance on Sunday was nothing short of impressive. In the midst of his century off just 115 balls, he delivered a cut shot that had so much power that even Virat Kohli, who was stationed just 20 metres away from the batter, barely managed to react. Despite the ball passing within catching range, Kohli was simply unable to respond. While some may argue that Head's impeccable shot strategy created chaos in the mind of Rohit, one cannot ignore the perplexing decision over field placement that confused even the most seasoned cricket experts. It's worth noting that India has now lost all of their last four tests, including a recent whitewash at home.

Shastri, speaking on air, reckoned the placements of fielders adapted against Head only outlined India's unwillingness to take the risk of getting hit for a boundary in exchange for a potential wicket.

“When you see the field set, that can cost you big time,” Shastri said. “I mentioned some time ago that the idea might be to contain and see if a wicket comes, but you are not going to contain Australia setting this field. With these two players playing the way they are, and Head in particular, looking to get a boundary every over. There is absolutely no doubt about that. He will get it. Then the problems start if five fielders are out at the boundary and he is still getting the boundary, he is getting seven or eight runs an over easily. The runs are there to be taken.”

On the other hand, former England captain Vaughan criticised Rohit for not sticking to one particular plan for a long time.

“They don’t settle on a tactic for long enough,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket. “Are they trying to snick him off? Why don’t they try to bounce him out? Why don’t they go full and wide, pack the off side?”

Fellow Fox Cricket expert Kerry O’Keeffe reckoned Rohit looked too negative with his field placements.

“I don’t think Rohit Sharma has had his best day as skipper,” he said. “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.”