Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Cheteshwar Pujara Slams Indian Bowlers for Failing to Exploit Travis Head's Weakness Against Short Balls

Mumbai, December 7: Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara on Saturday slammed the Indian bowling attack for failing to bowl short-pitched deliveries to Travis Head and giving him too much room on his favourite offside, as the left-hander hit a blistering 140 off 141 balls to put Australia firmly in the driver's seat in the pink ball Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After taking a commanding 157-run first-innings lead, Australia reduced India to 128/5 in their second essay on day two, with Rishabh Pant and rookie all-rounder Nitish Reddy at the crease as India trailed by 29 runs. Funny DSP Siraj Memes Go Viral After Mohammed Siraj Dismisses Travis Head With Toe-Crushing Yorker During Day 2 of IND vs AUS 2nd Test 2024.

"Head's weakness is short-pitched deliveries, which is well known to the opposition. But we only saw two-three short-pitched deliveries to him... They could have been used more effectively.  Pujara said on Star Sports in his second day's analysis.

"He dominates the offside, so we could have curbed his offside stroke-making and instead of a 6-3 (offside-onside) a 5-4 field placement would have been a good ploy against Head."

Pujara also pointed out the inexperience of the Indian batters against the pink ball, highlighting how they played too late, leading to a string of dismissals.

"The batters played too late, with most of them getting out because of their inexperience with the pink ball. They should have discussed in the team meeting when to score runs and when to play defensively. If 2-3 wickets had fallen today, there could have been a comeback chance, but now it's very difficult." Mohammed Siraj Gets ‘Booed’ by Adelaide Crowd for His Fiery Send-Off to Travis Head After Dismissing Him During IND vs AUS 2nd Test 2024 (Watch Video).

Shubman Gill was looking good for his 30-ball 28 before Mitchell Starc angled one in to clean him up.

"The ball comes very quickly. Most deliveries were angled away, and one angled in, which led to Gill's dismissal."

While India were reeling at 128/5 in their second innings, Pant played a typical counterattacking knock to race to an unbeaten 28 from 25 balls. Pujara hailed Pant's counterattacking approach.

"Pant's counterattack was necessary and unsettled (Scott) Boland with his range of shots. He picked the length well, a good strategy. However, he will have a big responsibility. If this partnership reaches 100 or more, India will have a chance. This is the last pair for India, as the lower order is unlikely to contribute much against the pink ball," Pujara added.

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