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NEW DELHI: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands delicately balanced at 1-1, and the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26 is shaping up to be a decisive encounter. Among the numerous challenges facing the Indian team, the prolific form of Australian batter Travis Head looms large.
Head has been a standout performer in the series, amassing 409 runs at a stellar average of 81.80 across five innings, including two centuries. His commanding knocks of 140 in Adelaide and 152 in Brisbane have been pivotal in keeping Australia in contention. Neutralizing Head’s influence at the crease has become a primary focus for India.
Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara offered specific advice for Indian bowlers on how to tackle Head’s dominance. Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara emphasized the importance of disciplined bowling lines.
“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,” Pujara explained.
He also suggested using short-pitched deliveries strategically. “He is already uncomfortable against the short ball. He does play his shots, but if you have fielders for short balls, then use it as variation. You don’t need to bowl every ball short; most of the deliveries should target the stumps with an occasional short ball. If they follow this strategy against him, the chances of success are high.”
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar echoed Pujara’s views, emphasizing patience and persistence in implementing a well-thought-out strategy.
“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 on Star Sports.
Bangar stressed the need to maintain a middle-stump line and integrate short-pitched deliveries tactically. “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.
As India prepares for the all-important fourth Test, executing these detailed plans against Head could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the series.
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