We are in the second Test of the five-match Test series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between the hosts Australia and the visitors India, the heat of the rivalry has already moved on top. The spice of the rivalry we experienced when the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj dismissed the centurion Travis Head during Australia’s first innings of the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test.

On the second day of the Adelaide Test, while the hosts Australia are 1-0 behind in the series, Aussie batter Travis Head changed the momentum of the dressing room by scoring a powerful century. 

After India were bowled out for only 180 runs, Australia scored 337 before losing all wickets. While Australia took the lead of 157 runs at the end of both teams’ first innings, the left-handed middle-order batter Head scored 140 runs off 141 balls with 17 fours and four sixes. 

After playing a memorable knock, Head was bowled by Mohammed Siraj. It was a yorker delivery that Head missed, and the ball unsettled the stumps. On the previous delivery, Head hit a sixer over the deep square leg.  

Watch: Unstoppable Rishabh Pant playing stunning shots under pressure

Mohammed Siraj gave Travis Head a send-off

After Head’s dismissal, Siraj gave him a send-off by gesturing towards the dressing room. It was a little heated moment when Head also reacted. Later, after the end of the day, Head talked about that incident where he was disappointed in his reaction.    

Head's OUT! ☝

The new ball brings success! Siraj is pumped, and so is #TeamIndia! 🔥#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test, Day 2 👉 LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/pehT9g4Ggs

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 7, 2024

I'm disappointed in the reaction I gave back: Travis Head

According to the ESPNcricinfo report, Head said, "I actually jokingly said 'well bowled', then he pointed me in the sheds and I had my reaction as well. I don't want to give it too much airtime. I feel like the way I play the game I would like a better reaction. I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and the lead up. There was no confrontation leading up to it.

"It probably [went] a little bit far, that's why I'm disappointed in the reaction I gave back but I'm also going to stand up for myself.”  

Siraj was booed

While the homeboy Travis Head got a deserving standing ovation for his brave knock, Mohammed Siraj was strongly booed by the crowds after that incident. Since that dismissal, the Indian pacer was booed almost every time in his action. 

Australian Crowd Booing DSP Siraj..

Let Travis Head come to India...!!#INDvsAUS #TravisHead #dspsiraj

pic.twitter.com/52QD6vysuT

— Be Good (@be_good12) December 7, 2024

Siraj is already in trouble for throwing the ball angrily at the batter Marnus Labuschagne on the opening day of the Test match when the Aussie batter stopped him in the final moment due to a movement in the sight screen. 

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is just less than a week away from starting. Meanwhile, Travis Head is preparing aggressively, which brings back heartbreaking moments for Indian cricket fans. Australia are ready to host the five-match Test series against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India won all the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophy challenges, twice in India and twice in Australia. 

So, there is no doubt that the baggy greens are desperate to win the home Test series and end their Border-Gavaskar Trophy drought since the 2016/17 season. Perth Stadium is set to host the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 opener, which will begin on November 22. Both Australia and India are desperate to make a good start in this crucial Test series, which is a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

SEE ALSO: Virat Kohli back to Perth! Can he reclaim the glory?

Travis Head smashing in the nets

The 30-year-old Australian cricketer Travis Head was practicing aggressively. He played some big shots in the nets and was enjoying the moment. It shows his desperation for the upcoming Test series. While it is circulating on social media on November 19, it hurts the Indian cricket fans more.

T20 nhi Test khelna hai bc 😭 pic.twitter.com/kkUtk6kJfb

— Ritik ✍🏻 (@smith___49) November 19, 2024

Travis Head was the reason for India's failure to win the CWC 2023 title

Head was the major reason for India's failure to win the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Ahmedabad hosted the tournament final on November 19, 2023. While the unbeaten India batted first, Head took a great catch to dismiss the dangerous-looking Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 47 off 31 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. The Aussie cricketer ran back and then dived to grab that big opportunity, which ultimately changed the moment of the match. 

Chasing down the 241-run target, Travis Head opened with David Warner. While Australia lost their first three wickets for 47 runs, Head fought hard and kept the game on with Marnus Labuschagne. Head had some lucky moments to survive the new balls, and then the left-handed batter dominated. He scored 137 off 120 balls with 15 fours and four sixes.

When Mohammed Siraj dismissed Head, Australia were only two runs away from the 2023 World Cup victory. Head and Labuschagne had a 192-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and Labuschagne was not out for 58 runs off 110 balls. 

A century in the #CWC23 Final!

Take a bow, Travis Head 👏#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/cMStdnUV4Y

— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2023

Mitchell Starc once again proved why he is a key player in high-stakes matches, delivering a stellar performance in the IPL Qualifier 1 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). SRH won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging target for KKR. However, the strategy backfired as KKR’s bowlers, led by Starc, came out all guns blazing.

Starc’s Opening Spell

Mitchell Starc opened the bowling for KKR and immediately made his presence felt. He delivered a length ball in the first over that deceived SRH’s aggressive opener, Travis Head. The ball was shaped away beautifully, creating a big gap between Head’s bat and pads, and it knocked the middle and off stumps.

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Starc’s Continued Impact

Starc didn’t stop with just one wicket. His continued presence on the field kept SRH’s batters on edge. His pace, combined with his ability to swing the ball both ways, created constant challenges.

Starc’s third over was a masterclass in T20 bowling. He dismissed Nitish Rana with a short ball that didn’t get the elevation Rana aimed for, resulting in a simple catch for Gurbaz. Immediately after, Starc bowled an in-swinging yorker to Shahbaz Ahmed, uprooting his stumps and leaving SRH in deeper trouble.

Vaibhav Arora’s Contribution

While Starc was the standout performer, Vaibhav Arora played a crucial supporting role from the other end. Arora’s disciplined bowling and key dismissals complemented Starc’s efforts perfectly. His ability to maintain tight lines and lengths further restricted SRH’s scoring opportunities and contributed to their early downfall.

SRH’s Struggle to Recover

By the end of the powerplay, SRH was tottering at 45/4, struggling to build any substantial partnerships. Key players like Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Rana fell cheaply, unable to cope with the pressure exerted by KKR’s bowlers.

Early Dominance by KKR

Starc’s early strike set the tone for KKR’s bowling attack. The early wicket of a dangerous opener like Travis Head boosted the team’s morale and put SRH on the back foot right from the start. KKR’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, not allowing SRH to settle into a rhythm.