Team India Always Lack Plan 'B' on Overseas Tours: Sunil Gavaskar

India went from a position of strength to one of weakness after the Australian tail dominated proceedings on Day 3 at the Gabba. From 247 for 6, the hosts on Friday reached 505 in their first innings -  a lead of 97 runs courtesy unimaginative bowling from Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels the lack of planning hurt the tourists, allowing Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52) to bat without fear. (Day 3 report | Scorecard )

Australia began on an overnight score of 221/4 with Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh in the middle. While the two were removed by Ishant Sharma, the tailenders anchored themselves to deny India more success. Johnson and Starc proved they were adept in handling the bouncers and the pace. Johnson first built a partnership of 148 with Smith and Starc before joining Nathan Lyon to put on 56 for the 9th wicket. (Complete coverage of Australia vs India)

Gavaskar feels the Indian bowlers looked quite helpless in the face of the resistances. "It's a story we have seen with Indian cricket repeatedly. It happened in New Zealand, South Africa and it is a lack of Plan B," said the former India opener. "You (Indian bowlers) allowed Johnson to get off to a start, didn't confront him with a spinner, so I don't think the tactics were entirely right."

Despite the fact that the ball was quite old, India's bowlers looked to use bouncers to trouble Johnson - a cricketer who has a Test ton against South Africa. Gavaskar feels using bouncers have helped Indians in the match but when it stops troubling new batsmen, it must be replaced. "It (bowling bouncers) worked against (Brad) Haddin. Once it doesn't work, you have to look at another plan. Nothing wrong in trying the same plan for a new batsman but nothing really came up to the shoulders as far as Johnson is concerned," said Gavaskar.

Indian bowlers have struggled  against the lower-order batsmen in other venues as well. In fact, the team has given away an average of 84 runs to batsmen number eight, nine and ten in matches overseas. This is the worst among all Test playing nations.

Gavaskar feels the team's think-tank needs to focus on this area as well. "Maybe the team is discussing on how to remove the top players. The lower-order batsmen have thwarted India in last one year or so as well. It is about time that the think-tank focusses on how to remove them as well," he said.

India finished Day 3 on 71/1. While setting a tough target would be the main focus on Saturday, the team would also do well to prepare for a tougher fight when Australia come out to chase.