Australian left-hander Travis Head has been one of India’s most persistent nemeses in modern ODI cricket. His aggressive approach at the top and ability to counter spin and pace alike make him a crucial asset for Australia. From his early struggles in 2017 to his match-winning World Cup final century in 2023, Head’s evolution against India has been remarkable.
Below is his complete ODI record vs India (2017–2025) with all innings, runs, strike rates, and analytical breakdowns.
Travis Head vs India – Overall ODI Record
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 13 | 449 | 37.41 | 101.58 | 1 | 1 | 137 |
Total Runs: 449
Average: 37.41
Strike Rate: 101.58
Centuries: 1 (137 vs India, Ahmedabad 2023)
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Match-by-Match Performance vs India
| Date | Venue | Bat Pos | Runs | Balls | S/R | Dismissal | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2017 | Chennai | 4 | 5 | 6 | 83.33 | c Dhoni b Pandya | India won |
| 21 Sep 2017 | Kolkata | 4 | 39 | 39 | 100.00 | c Pandey b Chahal | India won |
| 24 Sep 2017 | Indore | 5 | 4 | 6 | 66.67 | b Bumrah | India won |
| 28 Sep 2017 | Bengaluru | 3 | 29 | 38 | 76.32 | c Rahane b Yadav | India won |
| 01 Oct 2017 | Nagpur | 5 | 42 | 59 | 71.19 | b Axar Patel | India won |
| 17 Mar 2023 | Mumbai | 1 | 5 | 10 | 50.00 | b Siraj | India won |
| 19 Mar 2023 | Vizag | 1 | 51* | 30 | 170.00 | Not out | Australia won |
| 22 Mar 2023 | Chennai | 1 | 33 | 31 | 106.45 | c Kuldeep b Pandya | Australia won |
| 19 Nov 2023 | Ahmedabad | 2 | 137 | 120 | 114.17 | c Gill b Siraj | Australia won 🏆 (ODI World Cup Final) |
| 04 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 1 | 39 | 33 | 118.18 | c Gill b Varun | India won |
| 19 Oct 2025 | Perth | 2 | 8 | 7 | 160.00 | c Harshit Rana b Arshdeep Singh | Australia won |
| 23 Oct 2025 | Adelaide | 1 | 28 | 40 | 70.00 | c Kohli b Harshit Rana | Australia won |
| 25 Oct 2025 | Sydney | 1 | 29 | 25 | 116.00 | c Prasidh Krishna b Mohammed Siraj | India Won |
Highlights & Key Performances
- Best Innings: 137 (120) vs India – World Cup Final 2023 (Ahmedabad)
Led Australia to a title win with a commanding century on a challenging pitch. - Fastest Knock: 51* off 30 balls at Vizag (170 SR), a blistering start that set up Australia’s victory.
- Consistency: Six 30+ scores in 10 innings, average above 40 since 2023.
- Big-Match Performer: His World Cup Final ton is regarded as one of the best ODI knocks vs India in recent history.
Performance Analysis
1. Early Years (2017 Series)
Head’s first series in India was a tough learning curve. He scored just 119 runs in 5 innings (Avg 23.8). Indian spinners like Chahal and Axar Patel exploited his weakness against slower turning tracks.
2. Comeback & Rise (2023)
Six years later, Head returned stronger with a refined technique and a fearless approach. His aggressive 51* (30) in Vizag and 33 (31) in Chennai were crucial in Australia’s series victory.
3. World Cup 2023 Final Heroics
Head’s 137 (120) in the final against India at Ahmedabad was a masterclass in composure and power hitting. Coming under pressure in a chase of 241, he anchored the innings beautifully and guided Australia to their 6th World Cup title.
4. Current Form (2025)
His 39 (33) in Dubai continued his positive run against India, maintaining a strike rate above 100. He remains Australia’s most explosive top-order batter against India’s pace attack.
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Travis Head vs India Stats Summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 449 |
| Average | 37.41 |
| Strike Rate | 101.58 |
| Highest Score | 137 |
| Fifties | 1 |
| Centuries | 1 |
| Not Outs | 5 |
| Span | 2017 – 2025 |
| Average vs India (2023-25) | 68.0 |
Expert View
Cricket analysts rate Travis Head as a “momentum builder” for Australia. His ability to neutralize spin and attack new ball bowlers like Siraj and Shami has been key in Australia’s recent success against India.
His counter-attacking style, especially in the Powerplay, forces India to change plans early. Head’s impact is not just measured in runs but in how quickly he shifts momentum.
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Conclusion
From a young batter struggling on turners in 2017 to a World Cup Final match-winner in 2023, Travis Head’s journey against India has been phenomenal.
With an average over 42 and a strike rate above 100, Head remains Australia’s most dangerous batter against India in recent years.
As the rivalry continues, Head’s fearless batting and ability to deliver under pressure make him a decisive factor in future India-Australia ODI battles.
