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Former Australia captain Greg Chappell claims Travis Head has treated Jasprit Bumrah like any other bowler in the world.
Travis Head has been called world’s best batter. (AP Photo)
Jasprit Bumrah has consistently troubled batters from across the world irrespective of the playing conditions on offer and has risen to become one of the finest fast bowlers of the modern era. Bumrah has been called ‘master’ of his craft, and he’s living up to the reputation in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy where with 21 wickets from three Tests, he’s the current leading wicket-taker.
While Bumrah might be proving a thorn in Australia’s plans to regain BGT, Greg Chappell reckons that Travis Head has ‘nullified’ the threat of the Indian strike bowler even as other batters have struggled to find answers.
With back-to-back centuries, Head is the leading run-getter of the ongoing India-Australia Test series after three matches.
“Head’s performances against Jasprit Bumrah in this series exemplify his fearless approach,” Chappell wrote in his column for the Sydney Morning Herald. “While most batsmen struggle to survive Bumrah’s unorthodox action, sharp pace, and relentless accuracy, Head has treated him like any other bowler.”
“By playing with intent and looking to score off Bumrah, Head has not only nullified his threat but disrupted his rhythm. His ability to dispatch short deliveries with authority and drive fuller ones with precision has been remarkable, underscoring the strides he has made,” he added.
Head is known for his attacking intent with India being at the receiving end of his counterpunches on a host of occasions including the final of the World Test Championship last year where he produced player-of-the-match award winning performance.
“By choosing to bat with a scoring mindset, he has unlocked a level of consistency and impact that eludes many of his peers,” Chappell writes.
“I believe Travis to be the most improved batter in world cricket in the past three years and in becoming so, has firmed in favouritism to be the next Australian captain,” he added.
Teams have often resorted to Head’s weakness against the short deliveries, but Chappell predicts the Australian batter to work it out soon enough.
“His game has become so rounded that all that is left to opposition bowlers is to work him over with short balls which remain a relative chink in his armour, but it won’t surprise me if he treats them with equal contempt now that he has emerged fully as a batter,” he wrote.
Chappell has branded Head, who has scored 3582 runs from 52 Tests so far, as the world’s current best batter.
“Today, Travis Head is not just a player transformed—he is a player transformed through simplicity. His journey from caterpillar to butterfly is a testament to the power of intent, clarity, and resilience. Today, as the butterfly of his transformation soars, it’s clear: Travis Head is the best batsman in the world,” he said.
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