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On Day 2 of the 3rd Test at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Australia displayed remarkable resilience to reach 234/3 at Tea. After a shaky start, they recovered through a stunning partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head. India’s decision to field first, banking on early movement and overcast conditions, initially bore fruit on the second day with Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy striking early blows. However, the hosts’ middle-order stood tall to put them in a commanding position by the second interval.
Early breakthroughs for India
India began the day strongly, with Bumrah setting the tone. He removed Usman Khawaja (21) in the 17th over, inducing an edge that Rishabh Pant comfortably pouched. Bumrah then dismissed Nathan McSweeney (9), caught brilliantly by Virat Kohli at first slip, leaving Australia at 38/2. Nitish Kumar joined the party with his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (12) ♈after Kohli took a sharp catch in th🦹e slips. At 75/3, Australia looked vulnerable, with India hoping to run through the middle order.
Travis Head’s dazzling century at Gabba
Head was the standout performer of the day so far, delivering a counter-attacking masterclass. Walking in with Australia in trouble at 75/3, Head took the attack to the Indian bowlers. He raced to his half-century off 71 balls, punishing anything🎀 short or wide with trademark cuts and pulls. Head continued his aggressive approach after the lunch break, finding gaps effortlessly and dominating the spinners. He brought up his seventh Test century off just 115 balls, a knock laced with 13 boundaries. Head’s ability to counter-attack not only eased the pressure on Smith but also helped Australia seize momentum in theꦉ match.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Travis Head. Century. Again.
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan)
It wasn't that long ago that Australia left Travis Head out because they thought Matt Renshaw was a better option for Indian conditions. Travis Head is now an Indian condition.
— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk)
Honestly, can’t help but say what a bloody good player, Travis Head. But, for🌠 a bloke who’s clearly got some obvious weaknesses, the fact that this captain & management (more than one) can’t even come up with a concerted plan is qu💛ite damning. Once again, letting the game drift..
— Anirudh Eswaran (@_TheSportsGeek)
Travis Head is the game change⛎r in this Australian team. 8 hundreds before this, Australia won all 8 games.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
ꦚTravis Head has cooked us at Afternoon, Night, and now, early morning. Kaunsa muharat mai khele?
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
Travis Head will never have PTSD because he's the traumatic event.
— Drog BABA (@TheDrogBABA)
When they said Head got out for triple consecut🐬ive d🍸ucks in Gabba but he scores a triple digit score against you instead
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire)
Currently the fielding for Travis Head is like EA cricket. Wher𓂃ever he hits a boundary, next delivery a fielder goes there.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan)
travis head har match mein nahi maarna hota hai, ek mein mꦍaaro aur dus test khelo wali scheme nahi pata kya
— vishal dayama (@VishalDayama)
Imagine telling someone in 2020 that Travis Head will formidably be a better 💦cricketer than KL Rahul in a few years
— Akif (@AuctorDeIslet)
Now I understand why Travis Head showers so much love and appreciation to Rohit in all his interviews. This man likes to fck every time he captain🃏s India which is such a weird thing.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha)
Can’t♕ think of anyone who’s terrorised India like Travis Head since the Ramsay Bro⛄thers. Just that this horror movie has multiple sequels & each one is more frightening than the last
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
Also WATCH: Mohammed Sirꦿaj pulls bail swapping trick; Marnus Labuschagne falls i𒉰n next over on Day 2 of the Gabba Test
Steve Smith anchors the innings for Australia
Smith, struggling for consistency this year, provided a much-needed anchor to the Australian innings. The former captain began cautiously, aware of the challenging conditions and India’s disciplined bowling. He gradually found his rhythm, keeping the scoreboa𝐆rd ticking with occasional boundaries. Smith’s patience was evident as he played out 128 deliveries to reach his half-century, striking just four boundaries. His ability ♏to rotate the strike kept India’s bowlers at bay and allowed his partner, Head, to flourish at the other end. Smith remained unbeaten on 65 at Tea, playing a crucial role in stabilizing Australia’s innings.
A frustrating session for India
India’s bowlers struggled to maintain their discipline as the day progressed. Bumrah, the pick of the bowlers, delivered a fiery spell, finishing with figures of 2/51 from 19 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep bowled tightly but failed to make breakthroughs, while Ravindra Jadeja looked ineffective on a pitch🔜 offering little assistance. Nitish Kumar showed glimpses of promise, claiming Labuschagne’s wicket, but his lack of experience was evident in his inability to build sustained pressure. The lack of wickets in the second session allowed Australia to dictate terms and steadily increase their scoring rꦿate.
