Travis Head Leaves Australia Squad, Offering India a Welcome Relief

Travis Head Leaves Australia Squad, Offering India a Welcome Relief

Australian batter Travis Head has withdrawn from the remainder of the T20I series against India, bringing a sigh of relief to Indian bowlers who have often struggled to contain his aggressive stroke play.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Head’s recent outings against India have been less threatening. His last five innings versus India read as follows:

Since the start of 2023, Head has repeatedly tormented India with his explosive batting at the top of the order, including key performances in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup. However, his form in recent matches has been subdued.

For the time being, Indian bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Axar Patel can rest a little easier. Head has opted out of the final two T20Is to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series against England, beginning on 21 November. Instead, he will turn out for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, facing Tasmania in the fourth round of the domestic competition starting 10 November.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that all players in contention for the first Ashes Test in Perth will feature in that round of the Sheffield Shield. Head, 29, last played a first-class match in July during Australia’s tour of the West Indies.

Selectors had given Head the choice between finishing the T20I series against India or returning to red-ball cricket as part of his Ashes preparation. He chose the latter—an approach that previously paid off before the 2023 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, where he emerged as the series’ top run-scorer after a similar domestic warm-up.

The ongoing T20I series between Australia and India is currently level at 1–1, with the final two matches scheduled for 6 and 8 November.

Head’s absence opens the door for Josh Philippe to partner captain Mitchell Marsh at the top of the order. Alternatively, Mitchell Owen could be promoted from the middle order to fill the slot.

Meanwhile, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is set to return to international action after nearly two and a half months, featuring in the 6 November clash in Gold Coast.

At over 300 words, this detailed version captures the full context of Head’s decision and its implications for both Australia’s preparations and India’s immediate advantage.