India skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl after winning the toss in the third Test against Australia at the Gabba met with sharp criticism from former cricketers like Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hayden.

Rohit took the call keeping in mind the overcast conditions in Brisbane. However, Vaughan felt 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.

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.

Hayden also opined that batting first would've been the smarter choice, saying 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," the former Australian opener remarked.

Notably, Rohit Sharma had come under scrutiny for his decision to bat amid overcast conditions in the first Test against New Zealand at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in October. India were bowled out for a mere 46 in that Test match, which the Kiwis won by 8 wickets.

It remains to be seen whether Rohit’s decision at the toss in Brisbane backfires or proves to be a masterstroke.