The memories of last year’s ODI World Cup Final onslaught by Travis Head at the Narendra Modi Stadium crowd packed in Ahmedabad would never fade away from Indian cricket fanatics. Rohit Sharma captained team was kept to a modest 240 runs by Australia and it was all different for Head. He let loose his bat in fury on Indian players sending them hunting for leather. Thereby securing the record sixth ODI World Cup title for Australia.
Consequently, India failed to win an ICC trophy on home soil once again.
Come Wednesday when India starts their campaign against Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York during the World Cup. Eyes will be glued to Rohit as he seeks to guide the Men in Blue towards that elusive ICC title. With stars like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma are there alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja included in the squad. India is one of the favorites going into the tournament.
What if there is another India vs Australia final at T20 World Cup?
Once more if Head went head to head with Rohit’s men again in T20 world cup of ICC cricket after destroying their hope of winning two ICC titles last year through his explosive batting during ODI wc finals as well as ICC world test championship finals? Further more he has shown excitement about “The Test” which is an Amazon sports documentary about Australian dominance of men’s cricket.
On June 29 both team will meet again if they reach finals and play their match at Kensington Oval Barbados.
TimesofIndia.com recently caught up with Mr. Head who opened up and discussed various issues concerning some key areas such as. ODI wc final pressure on Rohit; Pat Cummins’ leadership style; why Australians dominate etc.…
Travis Head, Australia, gives a press conference in Bridgetown, Barbados.
You’re the man for all occasions, be it ICC World Test Championship final, ODI world cup final or T20s, Travis…
It is something that I have been working on for a while now. It’s natural I suppose. Although it can be difficult to switch between formats. Preparations will begin again this summer following a busy IPL cricket period to ready myself for test matches. So there are some goals that I am already focus on with my mind at the moment and it just comes automatically I suppose. Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) and Pat (Cummins) have given me the confidence to go out and play how I see fit. That is what I try to do.
I enjoyed it though. Seven years after returning here. Very good having Pat and Dan with me – guys from home! Abhishek was great fun; he’s a serious talent. We’re in a good space mentally and the boys know what they need to do.
Australia lost its first two One-Day International World Cup matches but bounced back in grand style winning the championship.
It was an incredible journey. The beginning of which I missed for like half of them season. Putting everything together fixing all issues was insane though Winning World Cup was an epoch-making moment for me . So we’ve had a few moments like that too including the Test Championship so yeah a couple of really special times.
I don’t think Rohit has too much to worry about because he has been exceptional leader as well as player over quite some time also i don’t think there’s anything wrong with him from that side of things India is safe hands you could probably select 4 or 5 team who will be up there playing attacking brand of cricket is important for them along with Rohit and Virat; their bowling attack led by star bowler Bumrah who has had a good IPL as well. High chances also for them maybe the odds are the same as other three or four teams that will be in contention.
(Laugh) It would be nice. To reach that final would be great. I think every Indian would want that especially with what has happened in our last two finals. So at some point, I am sure India will want to take revenge. That would make good theatre if it did happen so let’s hope we are there and we hope you guys are also there and see what happens.
I have a feeling that it is about the team’s continuity which has been there for 4 or possibly 5 years, and in any case the performanes have come across well. So the faith inside the team is all about believing in each other to do their jobs. In some of those games, someone always steps up when things matter most and that person does not always have to be the same one. It keeps changing who. This is what makes for a truly fantastic creative team. It doesn’t always go right and we are not going to win every single game but you know in tough situations and tough moments. You hope it’s you but if it’s not then hopefully there’s somebody next to you who can step up at that time.
Describe Pat Cummins as a captain and as a player?
Pat (Cummins) really loves his time away from cricket. He spends time with his mates; talking big goals, eating/drinking, etc., no family left out. I feel like this makes it more humanizing. The dressing room atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. I appreciate how he has built a good relationship with Andrew McDonald (head coach). Where they’ve consistently messaged over last couple of years.
He’s probably evolved over the years and is now a lot more relaxed. He runs quite a relaxed ship though still maintaining no-nonsense attitudes when needed. He deals more one-on-one with each player discussing game strategies, for example among others . Actually, it’s quite difficult to describe his style accurately. As much as he appears laid back on surface, however beneath him he is very particular about things. There are many statistics meetings held by him where everything is analyzed closely even before holding meetings on strategy preparedness for their oppositions team match days’ plans against other teams matches our rivals take place behind closed doors,” said Nathan Lyon”. He talks quietly yet just gets straight to point; hence not many long meetings or big team talks.
How would you describe the sports docuseries “The Test” on Amazon?
Yeah, it’s thrilling. I guess it gives a good insight into how we are on and off the field. So far, the first two seasons have been pretty well received with everyone back home and all over the world enjoying it. And I think this one will be much the same.
