Border Gavaskar Trophy: What is the plan for the Indian bowlers to take down Travis Head?

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 continues to captivate cricket fans as India and Australia remain level at 1-1 after three enthralling matches. The most recent clash at Brisbane ended in a rain-affected draw, with frequent interruptions forcing play to halt at crucial moments. Despite the weather playing spoilsport at the Gabba, the highlight of the match was Travis Head’s exceptional performance. The Australian batter delivered a stunning century in the first innings, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Head has been in sensational form throughout the series, cementing his place as a pivotal player in Australia’s batting lineup. With an impressive tally of 409 runs so far, the left-hander has been a thorn in India’s side, relentlessly punishing their bowlers with his aggressive and calculated stroke play. His consistent brilliance has turned the series into a memorable chapter in his career, showcasing his ability to dominate even under challenging conditions.

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara, currently serving as a commentator for the series, weighed in on how Indian bowlers can counter Head’s dominance. Pujara highlighted the need for strategic adjustments to neutralize the southpaw’s attacking style. He suggested precise line and length, coupled with field placements that challenge Head to take risks. Pujara emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure and exploiting any potential vulnerabilities in the batter's technique.

“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," said senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara in a recent interview. 

Along with Cheteshwar Pujara, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar also provided valuable advice on how Indian bowlers can counter Travis Head’s aggressive form. Bangar, who has worked closely with the Indian team’s top-order batters, recommended that pacers should focus on getting Head to play deliveries around the off-stump line more frequently. By doing so, they would be able to restrict his scoring opportunities and force him into uncomfortable shots, increasing the chances of him making a mistake.

Bangar further elaborated on his fielding strategies to contain the in-form batter. He suggested setting up the field in a way that pressures Head into playing expansive shots, particularly targeting areas where he might be more vulnerable. He believes that such a strategy could induce errors and force Head to take unnecessary risks, leading to possible dismissals. As Head has been in exceptional form, these insights from seasoned experts like Pujara and Bangar will be essential for India’s bowlers when they face him in the upcoming Australia vs India MCG Test. A well-planned approach, including the right field placements and bowling lines, will be crucial in limiting Head’s impact and preventing him from dominating the Indian attack further.

“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," former Indian cricketer Sanjay 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.