Australian batter Travis Head has been India’s tormentor-in-chief over the last few years. The left-handed batter scored centuries in the WTC finals and ODI World Cup 2023 finals to break Indian hearts. After a quiet first innings in Perth where he was out for 11, Travis Head has started to get after India’s bowlers once again.
In the second innings of the Perth Test, the 31-year-old scored 85 before centuries in Adelaide and Gabba. Travis Head scored 140 off 141 balls during the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide which saw the home team win by 10 wickets. This was followed by his brutal knock of 152 off 160 balls during the drawn game in Gabba.
So far none of the Indian bowlers have been able to tackle Travis Head’s aggressive batting. As the 4th game looms large, the onus is on India’s bowlers to come up with a tactic that can see the back of Head early in Melbourne.
Here are the 3 things India can try to dismiss Travis Head early:
3- Effective use of short ball tactics
It is well known that Travis Head doesn’t like facing short-pitched balls early in his innings. Bowlers from England and South Africa have used this technique well to dismiss the Aussie batter early. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah in particular have a good bounce which they can bowl from over the wicket aimed at the batter’s helmet. The ploy can be effective since Indian pacers haven’t tried this tactic yet during the first 3 games of the series.
2- Bowling over the wicket and cramping him for room
One thing that Travis Head likes early in his innings is a room that the bowlers give him to score runs. In the 1st innings of the Perth Test, young seamer Harshit Rana bowled round the wicket and cramped Travis Head for room to bowl him out. It was an effective ploy with the batter beaten for pace. Head’s feet don’t move well in the early few minutes at the crease and this is India’s best chance to dismiss the batter.
1- Bowling fuller length while inducing the batter for a drive
The conditions in MCG are set to be hot and humid making it difficult for the bowlers to get any swing. Indian bowlers need to bowl fuller lengths to Travis Head and make sure that the ball is aimed towards the stumps. During the 2018 Test match, one such ball from Bumrah saw Head get bowled with the pacer picking 6 wickets in the innings. The ploy has worked time and again for many bowlers around the world and India will have to go back to basics to dismiss their nemesis.
Disclaimer: This exclusive news is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and intuition. While reviewing this information, consider the points discussed and form your own conclusions.