IND vs AUS: India need course correction against rampant Travis Head

IND vs AUS: Travis Head thrashed Indian bowlers at the Gabba. (Photo: PTI)

There was much discussion before the Gabba Test about how India would plan and bowl against Travis Head. After the Adelaide Test, many ex-cricketers and pundits suggested that employing the short-ball tactic against him could be effective in Brisbane. While India adopted the strategy, they couldn't execute it effectively. Mohammed Siraj tried and failed; Jasprit Bumrah tried and failed as well. The short balls were poorly directed—either too high above the head or around the shoulders, but none aimed at the helmet.

In the past, a right-arm pacer going around the wicket and targeting Head’s helmet has proven successful. Mark Wood exploited this approach twice: once during the 2021-22 Ashes and again in last year's Ashes. On both occasions, Wood's express pace and well-directed short balls troubled Head. Unfortunately, none of the Indian pacers matched Wood's pace or executed the ideal lines against him. Head was well-prepared for the short-ball approach, whereas India seemed to rely solely on this single plan.

Also Read - India vs Australia 3rd Test weather report: Rain to play spoilsport on Day 3?

India had no Plan B for Head

There was no Plan B. Only Akash Deep and, to some extent, Bumrah targeted the stumps from around the wicket; the rest of the bowlers allowed Head the width he thrives on. Head, a player who stays deep in his crease and enjoys playing off width, took full advantage. Indian seamers could have attacked the stumps more, especially from around the wicket, but they didn't. Head's commanding innings of 152 off 160 balls ended when he played a loose drive off Bumrah’s bowling.

"Our plan going into this game was to bowl a little bit more over the wicket, just to bowl a straighter line. We felt he (Travis Head) played it quite nicely in Adelaide when we came around, but still, as an individual bowler, you need to back your strength. I think you need to sum up the conditions, what the ball is doing, what the wicket is doing. We were quite lucky that all day there was a little bit of bounce, so yeah, the margins to him are just so small,” said Morne Morkel during the press conference after the day’s play.

Clearly, India's plan to bowl straight lines to Head backfired, as the South Australian capitalised, playing confidently off his pads. There is still another innings to be played in this Test, and India must devise a completely new strategy to dismiss Head. Perhaps they could target his stumps more consistently, attack his body from around the wicket, or even tempt him into playing more drives. Given the way Head bats, there’s always a chance of him getting out. India just needs to adjust their strategy slightly. If they do, they might avoid Head becoming a persistent thorn in their side for the remainder of the series.