Travis Head has long been a thorn in India’s flesh, and his latest heroics in the Ashes have only strengthened that reputation. The Australian left-hander has a habit of rising spectacularly when the pressure is at its fiercest, something Indian fans remember all too well from the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the World Test Championship decider earlier that same year. But his match-winning effort in the opening Ashes Test at Perth may well be the finest innings of his career. On a lively Optus Stadium pitch offering pace and bounce, Australia were tasked with overhauling 205 in the final innings. With regular opener Usman Khawaja ruled out through injury, Head was pushed up to open alongside debutant Jake Weatherald. The move, initially a gamble, turned into a masterstroke. H

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