"We are unable to understand Travis Head at all" - Aakash Chopra on what should be India's tactics against Australian batter in BGT 2024-25 4th Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that India are yet to figure out a way to dismiss Travis Head in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He suggested a couple of options to counter the destructive Australian batter.
Head smashed 152 runs off 160 deliveries in Australia's first innings of the third Test against India in Brisbane. However, his knock couldn't help the hosts register a win as rain denied them a chance to force a result on the final day.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener was asked how the visitors can tackle Head.
"We are unable to understand Travis Head at all because whatever we are doing is not right. We played Akash Deep with the thinking that he would trap Travis Head as he comes around the stumps and bowls very well. What is the way to get Travis Head out?" he responded (7:30).
Chopra reckons India should employ the same plan the Australians have used against Rishabh Pant.
"I personally feel bowl over the stumps, don't go around the stumps, and angle the ball across. Try to consistently bowl the lines the Australians have bowled to Rishabh Pant where you force him to hit square against deliveries that are angled across. Then there is a chance that he might get the outside edge. That's point one," he explained.
Virat Kohli asked Mohammed Siraj to bowl over the wicket to Head in Australia's second innings. Although the move did not yield immediate dividends, the left-handed batter eventually fell prey to the right-arm seamer for a 19-ball 17.
"You can make a bouncer trap" - Aakash Chopra on the other plan against Travis Head
![Travis Head has amassed 409 runs at an average of 81.80 in five innings in the ongoing BGT. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/a7881-17345878903590-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra urged the Indian seamers to bombard Travis Head with bouncers.
"The second, I am thinking about the bouncer plan. We don't bowl bouncers at all. We bowled a few in the second innings. He eventually didn't get out to a bouncer but to a short ball. That will happen because these are big grounds, you can make a bouncer trap, and consistently attack with that length," he said (8:05).
The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that Head has been the difference between the two sides in the last two Tests.
"You can try to hit the ball on Travis' head. If you do that, you can stop him. At least, you can expect that. The series is at 1-1, Australia have dominated the last two games, but the difference between the two sides is Head. He suddenly changes the game in one direction," Chopra observed.
Chopra pointed out that most of the other Australian batters have looked fragile. He added that the right game plan against Head in such a scenario is needed.