Travis Head reflects on Siraj's send-off with a scathing comeback

Travis Head has grown into a familiar headache for India. Whether in the shorter or longer format, the batter has emerged as a nightmare for the team. Now, with India touring down under for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Head once again troubled the visitors. With the guests already facing a significant trial at Adelaide, Travis Head hit a spectacular ton in the day-night Test. To remind India's bowlers of their struggles with the pink ball, Head's century came at a strike rate of almost 100. After a prolonged struggle against Head, the breakthrough finally arrived when Siraj hit the timber with a near-perfect yorker. Head's wicket was a critical moment for India, and Siraj's celebration reflected his emotions. Whether his celebration, followed by a fiery send-off to Head, was justified remains a topic of discussion among the fraternity.

Travis Head shades India after Siraj's heated send-off on Day 2 of Adelaide Test

After dismissing Head for 140 off 141, Siraj, who has maintained his aggressive demeanor throughout the Adelaide Test, gave a heated send-off to the Australian batter. Head's knock was commendable and had already dealt a heavy blow to India's chances in the second Test. However, the heat hit the arena after Mohammed Siraj dismissed Head with a pinpoint yorker. Following the dismissal, tensions flared as a heated exchange ensued between the two players. Siraj's animated send-off drew the ire of the Adelaide crowd, with Australian supporters expressing their displeasure by booing the Indian pacer.

Following the conclusion of day's play, the star Australian batter shed light on the incident. While Head cleared his part of involvement, the batter threw a snarky shade at the visitors. Head, in his calculated but sharp explanation suggested that such actions reflect poorly on the team's sportsmanship. 

“I said well bowled but he thought otherwise. When he pointed me towards the shed, he got a little bite back from me. Yeah, slightly disappointed with the way that transpired, with a couple of past innings but it is what it is. If they want to react like that, if that's how they want to represent themselves then so be it,” Head told.

Despite the controversy, Head's century proved instrumental in pushing Australia's first-innings total to 337 before being bowled out. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India's bowling attack, claiming four wickets each. At the close of play on Day 2, India found themselves at 128/5, still trailing by 29 runs. Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy remained unbeaten at the crease, keeping the visitors' hopes alive for a fightback on Day 3.