India could have probably won two ICC titles in 2023 - World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup - if not for Travis Head. The left-handed dasher smashed 163 off 174 in the first innings of the WTC finale to take the game away from India and then stunned the home crowd by smoking 137 off 120 in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Even in the Super 8s game of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Head smashed 76 off 43, but Australia ended up falling short by 24 runs, as India went on to win an ICC title after 11 years. Head has produced superb numbers against India across all three formats, but the batter said India are by no means his favourite opponents; he said the two countries just play a lot against each other.
“I don't feel like they're my favourite. I just feel like we play them enough, play them lots. And, I guess, the last couple of years, I've been in nice form. So yeah, being able to, to play well, it's always nice,” Head told Star Sports.
"I guess it's not hard to get up for the contest. It's hugely competitive. Yeah, it's easier to get up for the game. So I wouldn't say they're my favourite. They're extremely difficult but it's been nice to play well in a couple of games and looking forward to preparing well and being ready to go and let's look, hope hopefully I can, I can contribute to what's a successful summer for us.”
Talking about his numbers against India, Head has scored 715 runs in 10 Tests @ 42.06, 345 runs in nine ODIs @ 43.13 and 255 runs in eight T20Is @ 36.43. The left-handed batter has scored five fifties and two centuries against India across three formats.
Head will be part of Australia’s squad when India travel Down Under for the blockbuster five-match Test series later this year. India have won the last four Test series, including two in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21).
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