Former India coach Ravi Shastri praised Travis Head after the flamboyant Australian batsman smashed a century in the fourth innings of the inaugural Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Saturday, November 22.
Following Usman Khawaja’s back injury, Head walked out to open the fourth innings. The 31-year-old scored 123 off 83 balls, including 16 fours and four sixes. On Day 2, his blitzkrieg helped Australia reach a 205-run goal in 28.2 overs.
Shastri stated that India had previously been on the receiving end of Head’s batting skills, and on Saturday, it was England’s time to be pummelling into submission.
“Travis Head two years ago, you plunged my country into silence. And today, you have done it again, in the best format of the game, in blistering fashion, with one of the great innings. Take a bow. England that was special,” Shastri wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Travis Head… two years ago you plunged my country into silence. And today, you have done it again, in the best format of the game, in blistering fashion, with one of the great innings. Take a bow. England… that was special #Ashes #Cricket #AusvsEng #Head pic.twitter.com/uUDD4BOtTU
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) November 22, 2025
After his stellar knock, which helped Australia take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, Head revealed that he had wanted to open the batting for some time and felt the moment was right when Khawaja was ruled out.
“It has been brewing for a bit. I thought it was the right opportunity to do it,” he said after guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory.
Head scored the second-fastest century in Ashes Tests, getting to the three-figure score off just 69 balls. It was also the fastest ever ton in fourth innings run-chases. The left-handed batter also slammed the joint-fastest century by an opening batter in all Tests.
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