Rohit's toss decision was influenced by the overcast conditions in Brisbane.
Speaking at the toss, Rohit said the visitors were looking to get the upper hand by bowling first given the overcast conditions at play. However, the Indian bowlers failed to make it count in the 13.2 overs of play on Day 1. The hosts were at 28/0 when the rain came to abandon the day’s play.
“I’m not surprised that Rohit Sharma won the toss and bowled. He doesn’t want to get out there and bat,” McGrath said while speaking on ABC Radio.
McGrath also elaborated on the potential repercussions of the decision, pointing out the difference in how the media portrays a failed batting versus a failed bowling strategy.
He remarked: “The thing is if you bowl first and it goes pear shaped that looks really bad in the media whereas if you bat first and it goes poorly it is 'gutsy decision to bat first'”.
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan and ex-Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioned Rohit Sharma’s bowling first strategy.
Vaughan went on to say that Aussie skipper Pat Cummins would've been delighted with the eventual outcome despite losing the toss.
I think Pat Cummins was absolutely delighted to have lost it (the toss)," Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
"He didn't have to make the call. Probably would have swayed on batting due to the history of this venue, but I think he was quite happy Rohit Sharma said we will have a bowl first," he added.
According to Hayden, batting first would've been the smarter choice, given that the pitch has been "over-prepared" due to the fear and intensity of recent rainfall in the area.
"I felt like it was over-prepared. There were almost 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks. And so we've got this showery pattern and it's been that way for a month and a bit. The groundsman would have been thinking, 'we've got to get our preparation in early', and that's why I thought that it was going to be good batting conditions in the first two days, with the view that it will break up, and turn," Hayden stated.
With the five-match series currently tied at 1-1, the Gabba Test could well be a make or break for the two teams. While the tourists won the series opener in Perth by 295 runs, the hosts bounced back to clinch the second Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.
It remains to be seen whether Rohit’s decision at the toss in Brisbane backfires or proves to be a masterstroke.