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'Zero cricketing sense': Indian trolled over 'brain fade'

India’s Rohit Sharma has copped it from commentators and fans after an inexplicable “brain fade” in his side’s hour of need against Australia.

The tourists were struggling at 4/86 on day one of the first Test in Adelaide when Sharma’s decision-making came under serious scrutiny.

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Sharma was looking dangerous on 37 runs as he began to get a good partnership going with Cheteshwar Pujara, when a moment of madness undid all his good work.

The batsman tried to smash Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon over the boundary when his side really needed control and patience at the crease.

The flight of the ball seemed to deceive Sharma as he top-edged the shot right down the throat of Aussie debutant Marcus Harris in the outfield.

Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting summed it up perfectly in commentary on Channel Seven, describing it as a “brain fade” from the Indian.

Sharma was slammed for throwing his wicket away against Australia. Pic: Getty
Sharma was slammed for throwing his wicket away against Australia. Pic: Getty

Fans were also quick to take aim at Sharma over the unnecessary manner of his dismissal.

Stunning record behind Aussie pace attack’s day one blitz

Australia’s morning demolition job of the Indian top order didn’t just tick the scoreboard over – it also set the speed guns alight.

The hosts reduced India to 4-56 at lunch as Josh Hazlewood took two wickets, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins jumping in with one apiece.

All four Indian batsmen were caught behind the wicket after slashing their bats at wide deliveries.

But while Australia’s plan impressed, so did their pace.

The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combined to destroy India’s top order. Pic: Getty
The pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combined to destroy India’s top order. Pic: Getty

According to statisticians CricViz, the pace trio’s 142.78km/h average speed was the quickest of the year:

It took a screamer of a catch by Usman Khawaja at gully off the bowling of Cummins to dismiss superstar Virat Kohli for three.

But the Indian captain’s wicket was symptomatic of a wider tendency by India’s batsmen to play at deliveries they would have been better off leaving alone.

Openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay fell into a similar trap and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal was the worst of the lot.

England great Michael Vaughan, commentating on Fox Sports, bemoaned Rahane’s “shocking” dismissal and said the Indians had fallen into an obvious trap.

“Here at Adelaide Oval, you’ve just got to see out the first session and get the bowlers into their second spells,” Vaughan said.

“They’ve just gifted Australia four cheap wickets.

With agencies