Virat’s planning and Siraj’s execution were precise as India got their biggest wicket.
Virat Kohli was the mastermind behind Travis Head’s early exit in the second innings on the final day of the Brisbane Test. Before Mohammed Siraj finished, the bowler wanted to bowl from over the wicket towards Head, which Rohit Sharma was a little hesitant as it would have allowed Head to open his legs and aim for the off side region.
However, Virat insisted on allowing Siraj to continue from over the wicket and used the scrambled seam, which would take the ball away from the batsman. He asked Rohit to put a defender in the square-leg region because if Siraj tried an inswinger, he would have a man to stop the boundary.
“On (on the wicket) se agar, stir wala daalega from the middle stump to perfect ka chance hai, sahi keh raha hai vo. Square leg peeche de de in-swing ke liye aur stump par daalne de (If he bowls a scrambled seam from mid-stump, Head can come out, Siraj is doing the right thing. Give him a square leg behind to inswinger and aim for the stumps),” Kohli exclaimed.
As it turned out, the planning worked brilliantly as Siraj angled one towards the batsman who attempted a big hit but could only get a top edge, and the keeper completed an easy catch. Virat’s planning and Siraj’s execution were precise as India got their biggest wicket.
Travis Head doubtful for Boxing Day test after suffering groin injury
During the final day of the Brisbane Test, Travis Head suffered a groin injury and was seen limping on the field while at the crease. While he said he would be fine before the next Test, Australia will keep their fingers crossed and want him to recover in time.
Head has been in sensational form in this series and is the leading run-scorer with 409 runs at an average of 81.80 in five innings. He’s also two centuries old and has done a lot of damage throughout this series of tests.
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Australia are already struggling with the form of their key batsmen and cannot afford to lose their in-form batsman before a crucial game. Hence they want him to recover and play in the next game.
Meanwhile, India hopes to follow the lead of Head’s dismissal today and persist with the same plan in the remaining matches. They cannot afford to allow him to score big runs again in the series.
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