Australia had only managed 92 for 5 in 48 overs at the end of the second session. They were eventually bowled out for 191 in 72.1 overs.
McGrath, who is a commentator for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, criticised the Aussie batsmen for their approach.
“That’s been the issue today, they have been very defensive and sitting back, waiting for the bad ball and just taking singles rather than looking a bit more intent and take it to the bowlers and put a little bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” McGrath said while speaking to host broadcaster Sony.
He, however, praised the Indian bowlers, who did not allow the Australian batsmen to dominate after the Indians folded up for 244 in their first innings.
“Indian bowlers have been able to bowl wherever they want and when you are not scoring, you would get into trouble very soon because on such a pitch the wicket s will come sooner or later. So if you are not scoring you are not moving anywhere,” McGrath added.
On the other hand, another Australian great Ricky Ponting opined that the hosts underestimated off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s calibre. The 34-year-old was India’s best bowler with four wickets.
Batsmen have looked to be quite aggressive against Ashwin. I think they’ve just underestimated Ashwin and how good he is. They’ve looked to score their runs from him, and it’s been their undoing,” Ponting told Channel 7.
Skipper Tim Paine made an unbeaten 73 for Australia but the rest of the batting line-up failed to deliver.
India ended Day 2 at 9 for 1, losing Prithvi Shaw cheaply for the second time in the Test.
--By A Cricket Correspondent