Travis Head was the standout performer on Saturday, dominating the Indian bowling attack in Adelaide. The second day of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy pink-ball Test featured significant action, yet it was Head who captured the attention with his remarkable century.

At times, Head appeared unstoppable as he surged to 140 runs off 141 deliveries, seemingly poised to increase his score further. However, he ultimately fell to Mohammed Siraj in the 82nd over.

After receiving a fast yorker, Head was unable to lower his bat in time, resulting in the ball striking the stumps. This led to a chaotic scene as Siraj celebrated with a send-off. In response, Head engaged in a brief exchange of words with Siraj, before departing to a resounding ovation from the crowd at Adelaide Oval, while Siraj faced boos from the spectators.

Travis Head on verbal spat with Mohammed Siraj

Following the conclusion of the play, Head remarked, “I believe the crowd reacted negatively after that incident. If one aims to energize the audience, one must engage them.”

While subtly expressing his disapproval of Siraj’s conduct, he noted, “Indeed, I have had discussions regarding this matter, but I will refrain from disclosing the specifics of those conversations. As I mentioned, I aspire to uphold a certain standard in the game, and I expect the same level of respect for myself and my teammates. I hold my teammates to high standards regarding our conduct and approach. While I cannot comment extensively on the Indian side, I will assert that I have addressed this issue with some players this year. It is possible to compete fiercely while maintaining fairness, but once you are out, there is little one can do.”

“I regret my reaction following that incident, but I will defend myself,” he added.

Despite the occurrence, Head emphasized the amicable relationship between the two teams. “I believe the rapport between the teams is quite strong. This is why I feel disheartened by the reactions I have received upon my dismissal. I would prefer if someone were to confront me directly rather than the unexpected nature of the lead-up,” he stated.

In response to India's first innings score of 180, Head's performance propelled Australia to a total of 337. The visitors encountered a challenging start to their second innings, losing wickets early on. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland dismantled the Indian batting lineup, each claiming two wickets, as Australia concluded the day at 128/5, trailing by 29 runs.

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