IND Vs AUS, 2nd Test: Travis Head Reveals Details Of Confrontation With Mohammed Siraj

Conjuring a marvellous century did not preclude Travis Head from getting a fiery send-off from Mohammed Siraj, who cleaned up the southpaw on Day 2 of the second India vs Australia Test in Adelaide. Head later said he was disappointed with his reaction, that added to the on-field confrontation with Siraj, but added that he would always stand up for himself. (Day 2 Highlights | Streaming | More Cricket News)

ꦚSiraj's frustration was evident as Head walked back after scoring a brisk 140 off 141 balls, which put Australia in the driver's seat to level the Border-Gavaskar series. It was Head's second Test century against India and eighth overall.

ꦬ"I actually jokingly said 'well bowled' and then he pointed me in (to go to) the shades. I had my reaction as well but I would not like to give (it) too much airtime," Head said after the end of play on day two.

꧒The incident unfolded after Siraj, having dropped the local hero on 76 earlier in the day, conceded a six to him. The Hyderabadi responded immediately, castling Head with a low full toss and celebrating animatedly, while instructing him to walk back.

⛎"I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and the lead up and there was no confrontation leading up to it and I felt like it was probably, a little bit far at the time," he said.

▨"That's why I'm disappointed in the reaction that I gave back but I'm also going to stand up for myself. I'd like to think in our team that we wouldn't do that, it's not how I'd like to play the game and I'd feel like my teammates (are) the same and if I'd seen that in that circumstances, I'd probably call it out, which I did," he said.

🉐Head added that Siraj's action led the home crowd to boo him. "I think they booed him after the reaction. Do you want to raise the crowd up? You'll get the crowd."

🐬The attacking left-hander said he had spoken to some "individuals" regarding the confrontation but did not give any details. "There's been conversations I've had, I'll leave those conversations that I've had with individuals around that," he said.

Meanwhile, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar🧸 spoke highly of Head’s innings and his mentality. Gavaskar said on the Star Sports broadcast: “I think it's a difference in attitude. Where you look at every ball as a scoring opportunity, which is what he does. Which is what Rishabh Pant also does. He looks at every ball as a scoring opportunity.

♎"Your attitude, your bat speed, everything has got to be different. Where there are others who are looking at a delivery and maybe preserving their wicket. Which means their bat speed is going to be different, their attitude towards the ball is going to be different. And Travis Head, why is he so popular? Why is he so dangerous? It’s because he looks at everything as a scoring opportunity. And he's successful more often than not. Particularly against India.”

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden♌ spoke at length on Head's temperament and his domination over India. “I think he made a promise to himself very early doors in Test match cricket. And some people aren't brave enough until they reach maybe 30 or even 40 Test matches for their country. But he promised himself very early doors that he was going to play the way Travis Head wants to play. And I admire that courage. Because it's not always easy.

💫"Especially when you think back to the way that he's dominated India. When you think back to that World Test Championship, he would have got great confidence out of that. Because it was under some circumstances that he reached the crease at The Oval. And suddenly the game just seemed to open up.

♓"And it's amazing how quickly sides that have got this momentum going forward end up sort of reeling back. And that's his resolve and his commitment to himself. He's promised to himself that I'm going to do it my way,” Hayden said.

(With PTI inputs)