Day 2 of the second Test between India and Australia in Adelaide saw the hosts take complete control of the game, excelling with both bat and ball. At stumps, India was tottering at 128 for 5 in their second innings, trailing by 29 runs.
Australia resumed the day at 86 for 1, and the spotlight quickly shifted to Travis Head, who unleashed a devastating assault on Indian bowlers. Head's explosive knock of 140 off just 141 balls, studded with 17 fours and 4 sixes, cemented Australia's dominance.
The star batter's blistering knock earned him high praise from cricketing legend and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said:
“Travis Head, why is he so popular? Why is he so dangerous? It’s because he looks at everything as a scoring opportunity. And he's successful more often than not. Particularly against India,” said the former India captain.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden also praised Head, saying. "I think he made a promise to himself very early doors in his test match cricket. And some people aren't brave enough until they reach maybe 30 or even 40 test matches for their country. But he promised himself very early doors that he was going to play the way Travis Head wanted to play. And I admire that courage. Because it's not always easy.
"Especially when you think back to the way that he's dominated India. When you think back to that world test championship, he would have got great confidence out of that. Because it was under some circumstances that he reached the crease at the Oval. And suddenly the game just seemed to open up. And it's amazing how quickly sides that have got this momentum going forward end up sort of reeling back. And that's his resolve and his commitment to himself. He's promised to himself that I'm going to do it my way," said Hayden on Star Sports.