"They are looking for balms in India" - Ravi Shastri’s cheeky take on Australia's in-form batter in BGT 2024-25
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri cheekily described in-form Australian batter Travis Head as a 'headache' for the visitors. On a serious note, the former all-rounder hailed the southpaw for showing immense improvement in his batting.
Head has been a literal headache for India over the last couple of years. He scored match-winning hundreds in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final as well as the 2023 ODI World Cup final. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his scores read 11, 89, 140 and 152.
Speaking on The ICC Review show, Shastri admitted that Head's form is a major concern for Rohit Sharma and co. In a light-hearted tone, he commented:
“Because his new surname is Travis Head’ache. They are looking for balms in India. For foot problems, ankle problems (and) even a headache they are looking for a balm. He is ideal for that.”
Sharing his thoughts on the Australian left-hander's phenomenal run with the bat in recent times, Shastri attributed Head's success to his improved skills against the short ball. The 62-year-old elaborated:
“I think he is very smart. From what I saw of him three years ago, he has improved immensely. Especially with the way he plays the short ball. He prepared to leave it. He has learned to leave it well at times.
“It's not a big shot all the time off a short delivery angled at his armpits or something. He's prepared to either ride it or go for the big shots. And if it is middle, middle and off, then he hits it in front of square as well, He picks up length very well. That's one of his great strengths,” the former India head coach went on to add.
Head (30) has scored 1,124 runs in 23 Test innings against India, averaging 51.09, with the aid of three hundreds and four fifties.
"His mindset is very clear" - Shastri on Head's success against Bumrah
Most Australian batters have struggled against the genius of India's pace ace Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Test series. And while Head has also been dismissed twice to the fast bowler, he has also tasted success against Bumrah. He has been the only Aussie batted who has looked at ease against the Indian pacer.
Shastri pointed out a particular cover drive off the front foot played by Head off Bumrah and opined that it was proof of his great form and clear mindset.
“We all knew he was dangerous, but that first shot he played off Jasprit Bumrah, that cover drive, off the front foot. It was in many ways a little bit on the up, off a good delivery, decent delivery. It told me that this is a player in prime, prime form," the former India coach stated.
“He went on to show exactly that. And the thing with him is there's no, his mindset is very clear. There's no clouded mindset. He's very clear about the situation. This is my strength,” Shastri concluded.
While Head is the leading run-getter in BGT 2024-25, with 409 runs in five innings, Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker, with 21 wickets at an average of 10.90.