India's Worst Nightmare? Ex-Aus Skipper Gives His Verdict On Pat Cummins Plan To Open Travis Head

The anticipation is building among fans and players alike as India is all set to travel to Australia in the second half of November in a 5-match Test series, the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australia have some tough questions to answer and the biggest is who will be their opener. 

With suggestions coming that Pat Cummins and co. are planning to unleash ‘India's Worst Nightmare', Travis Head as opener in the series, former Australian skipper explains whether that move makes sense or not.

Travis Head to open in BGT? 

Australia have one of the most formidable Red Ball sides in the world but ever since the retirement of David Warner, the 2023 World Test Championship winners are struggling to find a replacement. They have tried opening with Steve Smith but that hasn't gone to plan with ‘Smudge’ finding life difficult as an opener and averaging just 28.9. 

Given the lack of options, there are suggestions that Pat Cummins could unleash Travis Head as an opener vs India in hopes to scar Rohit Sharma and co. once again. However, former Australian captain doesn't think that will be the best course of action as the management would be “asking a lot". 

According to Ian Chappell, the idea that Travis Head could open with aggression and unsettle the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami won't work as in Test cricket, Indian bowlers aren't likely to go on defensive mode.

“The fielding side employing extra catching fielders and being able to unleash a preferred bowler for longer periods makes opening much tougher in Test cricket. Any move to open with Head that is designed to unsettle Jasprit Bumrah is asking a lot of the batter. Bumrah, and to a lesser extent Mohammad Siraj, are unlikely to be battered into altering their attacking mentality,” wrote Ian Chappell in his ESPNcricinfo column. 

Ian Chappell further believed that Travis Head's success as opener in white ball format doesn't guarantee success in red ball as well. 

“Head opening in Test cricket is based on his unbridled success facing the new ball in both 50-over and T20 cricket. There's no doubt Head, with his ultra-aggressive style, is the ideal player to open in the two short forms of the game. However, Test cricket is an entirely different proposition”, wrote Chappell. 

Also Read | Unique India vs Australia Match All Set To Take Place In October!

Travis Head record against India 

Travis Head has enjoyed tremendous success scoring runs against India recently as he scored a century in both World Test Championship 2023 final and the ODI World Cup 2023 final to deny Rohit Sharma and Co. their long awaited trophies. 

Also Read | SKY's Special Gesture Towards His Fans As Team India Travel

In last year's Border Gavaskar Trophy held in India, Travis Head scored 235 runs in three matches at an average of 47. Head continues to enjoy success vs India with the bat hence Pat Cummins will certainly be tempted to open Head in the five match Test series.