‘Line is very important’- Cheteshwar Pujara reveals cheat sheet for India bowlers to tackle Travis Head’s counterattack

In the first three games of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 series, Australia and India have tied the series 1–1. Rain played spoilsport and forced play to be stopped at random points during the most recent match in Brisbane, which ended in a draw. But with his incredible century in the first innings, Travis Head, the game’s Player of the Match, excelled the rain play at the Gabba.

The series is turning out to be a purple patch for the left-handed hitter, Head, who has perhaps been in the best form of his life. The southpaw has been a nightmare for the opposing team’s bowling attack, scoring 409 runs in the series thus far.

Cheteshwar Pujara, an Indian batsman who is now enjoying a commentary role for the series, has advised the bowlers to counterattack and address the aggressive play of the batter.

“Line is crucial. Maintain the middle-off stumps line. Don’t allow the middle stump to act like an off-stump, even if you are bowling over or around the stumps. Middle-off should always be the line. “He [Travis Head] looks really uneasy in that line,” Pujara said in his Star Sports commentary.

Sanjay Bangar gives Travis Head bowling advice.

In addition to Pujara, Sanjay Bangar, the former batting coach of India, offered some guidance on how the bowlers should contain the middle-order batsman. According to the Maharashtra native, the pacers ought to force the southpaw to play the off-stump line more frequently. In order to defeat Head in the next MCG Test, Bangar also stated his preferred fielding strategy.

“Go around the wicket and bowl in the hallway at the beginning of the innings. Follow that plan if it works in the first 10 to 15 balls. Approaching the wicket and forcing him to play off-stump is Plan A. Bangar suggested switching to over the wicket with a deep third man and additional fielders on the on-side if there is no success.

Following the middle-stump line compels him to change his behaviour. His bat is always used against the short ball, which opens up catching opportunities for deep third man, deep fine leg, and deep square leg. This strategy puts pressure on him and eliminates his scoring opportunities. In order to eliminate the Travis Head menace, India must stick to its plan and exercise patience,” he continued.