NEW DELHI: Travis Head has been a thorn in India’s flesh, notably during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final and 2023 ICC World Test Championship final, and on Saturday, he did it yet again, smacking a terrific ton in the Day-Night Test in Adelaide.
Continuing his dominance against India, the dashing left-hander struck a brilliant century, marking his eighth in the longest format and second against India.
Head reached his century with a quick single off India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. He removed his helmet, raised his arms in celebration, and placed the helmet on his bat’s handle, soaking in the applause from the Adelaide crowd.This isn’t the first time Head has tormented India.
In the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, Head played a pivotal role in denying India a historic win. He scored a majestic 137 runs off 120 balls, leading Australia to a record sixth World Cup title and shattering India’s unbeaten streak in the tournament.
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In the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final at the Kennington Oval in London, Travis Head once again thwarted India’s bid for an ICC title. He played a stunning knock of 163 runs off 174 balls, including 25 fours and 6 sixes, leading Australia to a commanding 209-run victory. Head was named Man of the Match on both occasions.
After being dismissed for a King Pair in his previous day-night Test in Brisbane against the West Indies, Head redeemed himself with a captivating knock, entertaining the crowd at Adelaide Oval.
Marnus Labuschagne leads the list of most centuries in day-night Tests with four, while Head now trails closely with three. Asad Shafiq and Dimuth Karunaratne each have two.
Head also set a new record for the fastest century in day-night Tests, reaching 100 off 111 balls against India in Adelaide (2024).
Previously, he scored centuries off 112 balls against England in Hobart (2022) and 125 balls against the West Indies in Adelaide (2022). Joe Root, Asad Shafiq, and others follow in the rankings.