India’s Jasprit Bumrah, center, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, right, celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Travis Head, left, during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
Travis Head, in former India coach Ravi Shastri’s words, has been a headache for India during this Border Gavaskar Trophy but Jasprit Bumrah ended his innings early on Thursday. The Aussie dangerman was bowled out for 0 off 7 balls.
When Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket fell in the 66th over, Rohit Sharma brought on Bumrah immediately in the next over to have a go at Head. The Indian pace spearhead went around the wicket, bowled a length ball that darted back into the left-hander. The Aussie batsmen have constantly shown the ability to trust the bounce on these pitches and leave the ball just on length. But this ball was pitched so perfectly that it zoned in on the top of offstump like a heat-seeking missile. Head’s decision to shoulder arms proved to be the wrong one this time.
BUMRAH SEED TO GET HEAD FOR A DUCK!#AUSvIND | #DeliveredWithSpeed | @nbn_australia pic.twitter.com/ZlpIVFca5O
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
After the Sam Konstas show earlier in the day, Bumrah bowled a solid spell in the third session that accounted for both Head and Mitch Marsh in quick succession. Once more underlining his importance to this Indian side.
Before Melbourne, Bumrah – by some distance the best bowler across teams in this series – had indeed struggled against Head. “By playing with intent and looking to score off Bumrah, Head has not only nullified his threat but disrupted his rhythm. His ability to dispatch short deliveries with authority and drive fuller ones with precision has been remarkable, underscoring the strides he has made,” Greg Chappell had written for Sydney Morning Herald.
But on Boxing Day, the Indian got the chance to bring out his familiar celebration – that shoulder shrug with his palms pointing upward. It was another special moment created by a special bowler in great form.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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