Travis Head shatters previous world record with fastest-ever century in day-night Tests, leaving India bewildered in Adelaide

After Steve Smith's dismissal in the first session of Day 2, Head took to the crease and immediately adopted an aggressive approach against the Indian pacers. While he showed great caution against the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, he did not hold back against the other bowlers, especially targeting young talent Harshit Rana. Despite being beaten a few times by Bumrah, Head's attacking game put the Indian bowlers under pressure and helped his team gain momentum.

Travis Head (Aus flag) (111 balls) vs Ind Adelaide 2024 (bold)

Travis Head (112 balls) vs Eng Hobart 2022

Travis Head (125) vs WI Adelaide 2022

Joe Root (Eng flag) (139 balls) v WI Edgbaston 2017

Asad Shafiq (Pak flag) (140 balls) v Aus Brisbane 2016

Head got some luck when he was on 78. He got a couple of reprieves at the same score. First off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, when he top-edged a slog sweep and Mohammed Siraj grasped a difficult chance despite putting in a good effort running backwards from mid-on. In the very next over bowled by Harshit Rana, Head flashed at one outside the off stump and got an outside edge but it went between keeper Rishabh Pant and second slip Rohit Sharma. India did not have the first slip in place and Pant didn't even go for the catch.

Once he entered, he got past those two hiccups; there was no stopping Head. The attacking left-hander then hit three boundaries off Rana's next five balls and completed his century with a single off Ashwin.

He took his helmet off, made the cradle gesture for his newborn son and waved at his wife and daughter in the stands.

Head's blistering century, scored at close to a run-a-ball, took Australia past the 300-run mark and, more importantly, set them up for a massive first innings lead.

India were bowled out for 180 in their first innings after winning the series opener in Perth by 295 runs.