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Travis Head scored 140 off 141 which was pivotal to Australia taking a significant 157-run lead over India.
Travis Head continues to be India’s nemesis. (AP Photo)
An aggressive Travis Head put Australia in command after he scored an attacking century on the Day 2 of the day-night Test against India at the Adelaide Oval. Head scored 141 off 140 as Australia were bowled out for 337 in their first innings to take a lead of 157. Cheteshwar Pujara has questioned the tactics employed by the Indian team as he wondered why they didn’t test Head with short-pitched deliveries against which he has struggled in the past.
“Head’s weakness is short-pitched deliveries, which is well known to the opposition,” Pujara said on Star Sports. “But we only saw two-three short-pitched deliveries to him… They could have been used more effectively.”
Pujara added that India could have used a 5-4 field placement to block offside where Head scores most of his runs.
“He dominates the offside, so we could have curbed his offside stroke-making and instead of a 6-3 (offside-onside) a 5-4 field placement would have been a good ploy against Head,” he said.
Head’s domination would have given Indian batters some hope after the disappointing show in the first dig that saw them being skittled for 180. However, little changed with Australian bowlers reducing them to 128/5 at stumps.
Pujara felt the Indian batters’ inexperience of how to effectively negotiate the pink reflected as they played their shots too late.
“The batters played too late, with most of them getting out because of their inexperience with the pink ball. They should have discussed in the team meeting when to score runs and when to play defensively. If 2-3 wickets had fallen today, there could have been a comeback chance, but now it’s very difficult,” Pujara said.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill both got the starts before departing. On the other hand, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed to touch scores in double-digits.
Rishabh Pant opened his account with a four and counterattacked to remain unbeaten on 28 off 25.
“Pant’s counterattack was necessary and unsettled (Scott) Boland with his range of shots. He picked the length well, a good strategy. However, he will have a big responsibility. If this partnership reaches 100 or more, India will have a chance. This is the last pair for India, as the lower order is unlikely to contribute much against the pink ball,” Pujara said.
