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Travis Head once again showcased his brilliance with the bat, slamming a scintillating 140 off 141 balls, helping Australia secure a commanding first-innings lead of 157 runs on Day 2 of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India in Adelaide. Under the lights, Australia’s pace trio of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Mitchell Starc capitalized on the conditions, reducing India to 128/5 in their second innings, trailing by 29 runs.
Travis Head’s counter-attack stuns India
Starting the day at 103/3, Australia faced some early blows, but Head’s counter-attacking approach turned the tide. Despite being tested initially by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s disciplined spells, Head weathered the storm alongside Marnus Labuschagne (64). Their partnership of 65 runs steadied Australia before Labuschagne’s dismissal to Nitish Reddy.
Head, undeterred, shifted gears in the second session, punishing a tired Indian bowling attack. He brought up his century in just 111 balls—the fastest in day-night Test history—and added quick runs with Alex Carey (15). Even the second new ball, India’s prime weapon, couldn’t halt Head’s onslaught as he whipped and clipped boundaries with finesse. His knock ended when Siraj bowled him with a stunning yorker, but the damage was done.
India’s fragile top order crumbles under the lights
India’s response to Australia’s lead faltered under the relentless Australian pace attack. KL Rahul fell early to a short ball from Pat Cummins, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli were dismissed in quick succession by Scott Boland’s precision. Starc delivered the highlight of the evening with a toe-crushing yorker that shattered Shubman Gill‘s stumps, leaving the Indian batter stunned.
Rohit Sharma endured a testing stay, surviving an LBW call due to a no-ball but eventually falling to Cummins. At stumps, Rishabh Pant (28*) and youngster Nitish Reddy (15*) were trying to stabilize India’s innings, but the team faces an uphill battle to save the game.
Also WATCH: Travis Head’s wife Jessica comes up with heartfelt reaction on husband’s tremendous century in Adelaide – AUS vs IND
Australia’s commanding lead built on frustrating Day for India
Notably, India had their moments earlier in the day, with Bumrah removing Nathan McSweeney and Steve Smith to reduce Australia to 103/3. However, missed opportunities, including a dropped catch of Head on 76 by Siraj, cost them dearly. Head capitalized on these lapses, making India toil through a frustrating second session.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Travis Head has stood out as one singular batter in this series who has only thought ‘runs’ when he has come out to bat. Rest, for understandable reasons, have had other things occupy their minds more. #INDvsAUS
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 7, 2024
in the last 18 months, travis head has traumatised india with the red, white and pink ball#INDvsAUS
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 7, 2024
Travis Head as soon as he sees Rohit as captain in opposite team… pic.twitter.com/YFWAEBKxzA
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) December 7, 2024
Travis Head has a Hundred in Red Ball, Pink Ball, White Ball vs India.
Travis Head has a Hundred in Red Ball, Pink Ball, White Ball vs England.
THIS IS CRAZY 🦁 pic.twitter.com/MaJq0Cjoq3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 7, 2024
What Kane Williamson was to Kohli, Travis head is to Rohit.
— R🌻 (@EntropyPositive) December 7, 2024
A box-office knock for the ages from Travis Head 🥵#WTC25 | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3TLVbol69l
— ICC (@ICC) December 7, 2024
Hassi mazak ke mood mai tha,
Travis Head ne firse pel diya. pic.twitter.com/wWx1Tle4sT— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 7, 2024
Travis Head is a natural heir to Adam Gilchrist.
Absolute phenom.
Would love to say I love seeing him bat – but, since he keeps doing it against India: I will not.
Will watch him in 2028 and admire him retrospectively. #INDvsAUS— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) December 7, 2024
Travis Head under
Rohit's captaincy Other's captaincy pic.twitter.com/bOydV7UnBR— Kevin (@imkevin149) December 7, 2024
Travis Head is box office. One of the most exciting players in world cricket.
— Adam Bell 🇳🇿🇮🇹 (@AdamKerrBell) December 7, 2024
Travis Head has been the headache for India
His last 6 scores against India in Tests
90, 163, 18, 11, 89, 114*pic.twitter.com/o6N88CN0fB
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 7, 2024