Aakash Chopra, former Indian cricketer and cricket commentator, has voiced strong criticism against Rohit Sharma’s captaincy following India's 10-wicket defeat to Australia in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval. According to Chopra, the Indian skipper's defensive tactics and poor utilization of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah allowed the match to slip away from India.

Australia, led by Travis Head’s explosive 140 off 141 balls, dominated the second Test, leaving India reeling. Chopra particularly highlighted the lack of a proper bowling strategy against Head, noting that Sharma failed to apply pressure with short-pitched deliveries that could have troubled the Australian batter.

"Did we bowl bouncers to Head? You have to bowl bouncers on Head's head. Until we do that. he doesn't get out and keeps troubling us. He has done that earlier and is doing it now also. He did that in the World Cup final and the WTC final as well," he said 

Chopra also questioned Rohit Sharma’s decision not to persist with Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler."Jasprit Bumrah had bowled a four-over spell and had already picked up a wicket in that. So why did he bowl only four overs, and didn't bowl after that at all? He didn't bowl in the entire session. So you are 100 percent right when you say that you missed a trick in captaincy. Rohit's captaincy - let's call a spade a spade. We saw defensive captaincy. He allowed the match to drift," Chopra added.

Furthermore, Chopra pointed out that Rohit’s record is particularly concerning due to three consecutive losses at home, a rare occurrence in Indian cricket. "He wasn't the captain in the Perth match. So that win doesn't count for him. If we leave the last century, it's Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit, and the biggest concerning thing, which might not be with anyone else, is three consecutive losses at home. The captaincy has been a little lackluster," Chopra added.