‘Line is very important’- Cheteshwar Pujara reveals cheat sheet for India bowlers to tackle Travis Head’s counterattack. (Source – Getty Images/Star Sports)
The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has seen India and Australia level the series 1-1 in the three games played so far. The latest Brisbane encounter resulted in a draw as rain played spoilsport to force play being halted at abrupt intervals. However, the Player of the Match from the game, Travis Head, outperformed the rain play at the Gabba with his astonishing century in the first innings.
Head has arguably been in the form of his life, and the series is turning out to be a purple patch for the left-handed batter. The southpaw 409 runs in the series so far, and has been nightmarish for the visiting team’s bowling attack. However, India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who is currently enjoying a commentary stint for the series, has sent a piece of advice for the bowlers to counterattack and tackle the batter’s aggressive style of play.
“Line is very important. Keep middle-off stumps line, Even if you are bowling over the stumps or around the wicket, don’t let the middle stump play as off-stump. The line should always be middle-off. In that line, he [Travis Head] looks very uncomfortable,” explained Pujara in his analysis on Star Sports.
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Bangar advises on bowling to Head
Apart from Pujara, India’s former batting coach Sanjay Bangar also gave some advice on how the bowlers can contain the middle-order batter. The Maharashtra-born told that the pacers should make the southpaw play the off-stump line more often than not. Bangar also expressed his fielding preferences to get the better of Head in the upcoming MCG Test.
“At the start of the innings, go around the wicket and bowl in the corridor. If it proves successful in the first 10–15 balls, stick to that plan. Plan A is to come around the wicket and make him play at off stump. If there’s no success, shift to over the wicket with more fielders on the on-side and a deep third man,” Bangar advised.
“By sticking to the middle-stump line, you force him to do something different. Against the short ball, his bat always comes into play, making deep third man, deep fine leg, and deep square leg potential catching positions. This approach dries up his scoring opportunities and creates pressure. India needs to persist with this plan and have patience to neutralize the Travis Head threat,” he added.