Ashes 2025-26: ‘Travis Head, you’ve done it again’ – Former India head coach lauds southpaw after epic Perth century

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri lavished praise on Travis Head after the flamboyant Australian batter slammed a spectacular century in the fourth innings of the first Ashes Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday, November 22.

Head walked out to open in the fourth innings after Usman Khawaja sustained a back injury. The 31-year-old smashed 123 off 83 balls, belting 16 fours and four sixes. His blitzkrieg helped Australia chase down a 205-run target in just 28.2 overs on Day 2.

Shastri mentioned that India had been on the receiving end of Head’s batting prowess in the past, and on Saturday, it was England’s turn to be pummelled into submission.

“Travis Head two years ago, you plunged my country into silence. And today, you have done it again, in the best format of the game, in blistering fashion, with one of the great innings. Take a bow. England that was special,” Shastri wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

After his stellar knock, which helped Australia take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, Head revealed that he had wanted to open the batting for some time and felt the moment was right when Khawaja was ruled out.

“It has been brewing for a bit. I thought it was the right opportunity to do it,” he said after guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory.

Head scored the second-fastest century in Ashes Tests, getting to the three-figure score off just 69 balls. It was also the fastest ever ton in fourth innings run-chases. The left-handed batter also slammed the joint-fastest century by an opening batter in all Tests.