Travis gets in Siraj's head again in classic Test duel

Travis Head has proven to be the nemesis of India paceman Mohammed Siraj and the battle between the two has headed into overdrive.

Head's counter-punching 152 on day two of the third Test at the Gabba, following his match winning 140 in Adelaide, was pure entertainment and Siraj was on the receiving end as Australia reached 7-405 at stumps.

The pair were reprimanded by the ICC for a heated exchange when Siraj bowled Head in Adelaide after the left-hander had thrashed the Indian speedster to all parts.

At the Gabba on Sunday it was Head who again dominated, taking 24 off the 15 deliveries he faced from Siraj in his spell after lunch.

Before lunch the 30-year-old Siraj left the field with a left leg complaint

He was running in to bowl the third delivery of his 11th over when he pulled up and was unable to continue.

Siraj called for the India team physio and after a brief conversation left the field. Akash Deep finished the over and Siraj did not return before lunch.

When he returned to the bowling crease, Head was well on his way to his ninth Test century. He targeted Siraj and ended up with a strike rate against him more applicable to white-ball cricket.

After tea Head took nine from five Siraj deliveries, while he was also severe on the rest of India's bowling attack as they tired.

Australia were 6-327 when Head was finally dismissed, the fifth victim of the day for Indian great Jasprit Bumrah.

By then he had combined for a 241-run with Steve Smith (101).

"I had a great seat in the house to watch Travis go about his business again," Smith said.

"It was a great partnership and felt like the World Test Championship final (of 2023) with the way he came out and smacked it and I could play second fiddle and do my thing.

"He is doing it consistently at the moment which is great. The way he is able to put the bowlers under pressure from the outset is quite incredible."

India captain Rohit Sharma was criticised for electing to bowl first but India bowling coach Morne Morkel said the decision was taken because of the overcast conditions on day one and the possibility of early wickets.

When Australia were 3-75 that decision was looking good but Head turned the game with his approach.

"Our plan going into this game was to bowl over the wicket and a straighter line to him but the margins to (Head) are just so small," Morkel said.

Morkel said Siraj's injury was "cramp" rather than a serious issue..

India have already been without strike pace bowler Mohammed Shami for this series due to an ankle injury while Bumrah had a groin niggle prior to the third Test, but recovered.

They can ill-afford to lose Siraj for any length of time.