"He is going give it back to them doubly" - Sunil Gavaskar expects bouncer barrage from Mohammed Siraj in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar expects Mohammed Siraj to unleash a bouncer barrage on Australia in Brisbane after copping some of the same during the day-night Test in Adelaide. Gavaskar said he wasn't surprised by Siraj's struggles against bouncers.

Australia's pace trio targetted India's tailenders with short-pitched deliveries and were successful, bundling them out cheaply. While Siraj didn't perish to a bouncer, Pat Cummins unleashed one on him.

Speaking to India Today, the 75-year-old claimed Australia were charged up because of the send-off Siraj gave to Travis Head. Gavaskar elaborated:

"Siraj is a number 10 batter. No big deal. If somebody is bowling a bouncer, he is going to struggle. So you can't really fault him for that. Whatever happened, clearly, I think the Australians are charged up. They were looking to get back at Siraj, but I don't think is going to be bothered by that. When he has the ball in his hand in Gabba, he is going give it back to them doubly in kind."

Siraj's send-off triggered polarising reactions from the cricketing fraternity, with Siraj and Head explaining their side of the story. Nevertheless, the South Australian's 140 off 141 deliveries was integral to the hosts' 10-wicket win.

"India bowled about four bounces to him" - Sunil Gavaskar laments Team India's failed tactics

Meanwhile, Gavaskar observed that Indian bowlers failed to plan well against Head, claiming it dated back to the World Test Championship and World Cup final last year.

He explained in the same interaction:

"Well, I wish India could have done that with Travis Head. India bowled about four bounces to him. They bowled four bounces to a man who is reputed not to be comfortable against the bouncers. So it just tells you about the planning that the bowlers did, because if you bowled bounces to Head, maybe like we've been saying, the World Test Championship final 2023, the World Cup final, 2023."

"Everywhere we've not really tested him with the bouncer, at least till he gets to 25–30 runs. Maybe he might be able to go at it away for boundaries and six. Good luck to him. But if you get the right feel, then we might be able to do that," he added.

Team India had beat Australia the last time the two sides played in Brisbane.