Travis Head Vs Hardik Pandya: Why India All-Rounder Could Become A Threat For Aussie Star?

Why Hardik could cause trouble to Head [Source: AP Photo]

The wait is almost over as India will collide against Australia in a mouth-watering Champions Trophy semi finals on Tuesday, March 4. Australia will have the psychological edge after defeating them in World Cup 2023 and BGT 2024-25, but India, under Rohit Sharma are oozing with confidence.

The Men in Blue won three out of three in group stage matches and the team has ticked all the boxes heading into the semi-finals. However, they have one roadblock which is standing between them and the finals- Travis Head.

The Aussie opener has a stupendous record vs India across formats and has won his team countless matches and ICC events almost single-handedly. For India to win the match, they need to dismiss Head cheaply, and the Indian side do have one bowler, who can cause trouble to Head - Hardik Pandya.

Travis Head stats across formats Vs India

The Aussie star struggled against India in his initial days, however, since 2021, the record is impeccable and that reflects on his overall record Vs India.

In 32 matches across formats, he has racked up 1763, at an average of 44.07, including 4 centuries and 6 fifties.

He scored hundreds against them in the WTC finals, and then in the 50-over World Cup finals in 2023. Also, India failed to find a solution against him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as tghe maverick batter slammed two centuries on the tour. He certainly will be the biggest threat for India.

Travis Head Vs Hardik Pandya: What the numbers say? 

Head ODI stats Vs Hardik

Head may have scored at a strike-rate of 150 against Hardik Pandya, but the Indian all-rounder has had his numbers by dismissing him twice in ODIs.

Moreover, Head only averages a mere 10.5 against the all-rounder, showcasing that he is vulnerable against him.

Why Hardik could be crucial Vs Head?

Hardik's natural length is back of a length deliveries and this is where Head tends to struggle. If you provide him with width, Head is a dangerous batter and will maximise his potential.

However, anything short near the rib-cage area and the batter tends to struggle. Hardik will try and pepper him with shorter deliveries and if the field placements is right, Head could miscue one straight to the fielder.

Conclusion

India might only go with one front-line pacer in Mohammed Shami, and he is naturally a swing bowler and doesn't have the pace to disturb Head.

However, Hardik clocks 140 on a regular basis and loves to bend his back and if he pitches it right against Head and targets his body, there is a good chance that the Indian all-rounder could trap the Aussie opener.

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