AUS v IND 2018-19: Pujara gave rest of us a blueprint on how to bat on this wicket, says Travis Head

Head emulated Pujara's resillient and defiant approach to batting.

It was really a great knock from Cheteshwar Pujara | Getty

Travis Head felt inspired by Cheteshwar Pujara's resilient, defiant and eventually dynamic 123 in the first innings and went about emulating the approach of India's no.3 through his fighting effort of 72 in Adelaide.

In line with this, the youngster wants rest of his teammates to follow suit and avail themselves with the intent and ambition of trying to bat as Pujara did.

It was an astonishing exhibition of what mind over matter is all about, as Pujara showcased ample grit and unfazed character through an effort that had fortitude written all over it.

India's no.3 struck his 16th Test hundred and helped his team attain some sense of respectability with their score of 250/9 by the end of Day 1.

"The way Pujara played in the first innings was the blueprint for this wicket," Travis Head said at the end of play on Day 3, where his very fine knock helped Australia finish within touching distance of the visitors' first innings at 235 all out, "He had a really good leaving game, good forward defence, and as the ball got softer, he got more runs. Knowing how hard the wicket can be with the ball moving and the new ball, he played really well."

Head, who actually felt that he could've batted a little longer and scored more crucial runs with the admirable Australian tail, further said, "It is disappointing to feel the momentum swing back. I wanted to continue on and felt if we could keep doing it for a period of time we could put them under pressure and keep them out there."

On being fazed against the highly astounding Ravichandran Ashwin, Head reaffirmed, "I just tried to stay busy against Ashwin. I learned a lot from Dubai first innings to second innings, I was really positive against the off-spinner, watching the ball and not premeditating."

"It’s going to be the same in the next innings. There’s not much rough for the left-handers but this wicket always spins with the grass coverage."

India were able to extend their lead to 166 runs at the close of play with Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle and the visitors reaching 151/3. But Head remains confident that Australia will be able to quickly wrap them up and chase down whatever target that they will be put across.

He said, "This year bigger scores have been made and teams have batted out draws. On days four and five, it gets easier to bat and 300-plus totals have been scaled easily (in domestic cricket)."

"It’s more of a new ball wicket at the moment. It’s vital to win those moments when the new ball comes around again," Head signed off.

(Inputs from cricket.com.au)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 08 Dec, 2018

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