Travis Head was proving to be a mighty challenge for the Indian Cricket team lately, especially in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Gabba of Brisbane. Aggressive batting in every single match by the Australian player Head has spoiled the party for India here, be it the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup and the finals of the WTC 2023.
In the Adelaide Test, Travis Head seized an opportunity by converting what would have otherwise been a par score to 140, which completely changed the game. A dropped catch by Mohammed Siraj is one such minor error, which has an immense effect in terms of Head’s batting.
In the current series, Travis Head has become the mainstay of Australia, having averaged over 60 against India across all formats in the last two years. This ability to dominate both the spinners and the pacers has been a thorn for India. His inability to be dismissed has troubled even the two top spinners of India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, with their contrasting styles.
Statistically, Mohammed Siraj is the Indian bowler most likely to dismiss Travis Head in Tests, with one dismissal every 45 balls. Jasprit Bumrah has also tasted success against Head but takes a lot more deliveries per wicket.
India must take the battle head-on by making early breakthroughs and disciplined bowling in which Siraj and Bumrah are the flagbearers. The Gabba pitch offers variable assistance and hence, a calculated approach would be the need to limit Head’s influence on the game.
Stopping Travis Head remains India’s top priority if they want to hold on to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team needs to take every chance to get him out early so that he doesn’t change the momentum of the game in favor of Australia.
The battle between Travis Head and India’s bowlers is going to define the outcome of the series as it progresses.
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