Travis Head revealed that being dropped from their first Test match against India in Nagpur was not something that he expected, the Australia batter said ahead of the third Test of the series, which kicks off in Indore on Sunday.
"It was something that I didn't expect coming here. The conversations were robust. Everyone has different opinions. I respect the coaching staff and selectors and I have a really strong relationship with them. I think that's what made the conversations the way they went because there's respect that goes both ways and we were able to voice our opinions," said Head.
However, the Australian all-rounder is happy to be playing for his country, and believes that he is currently in a good head space barring the one week during the second Test when he scored just 12 and 43 in the two innings respectively.
"I woke up the next morning and I'm still on tour playing for Australia, I still get to do what I love to do. I'd love to be competing and playing but there's another way I can support the guys the best I could and prepare the best way I could for another opportunity. I still feel like I'm in a great space. It's just one week that didn't go my way," Head added.
The 29-year-old lauded the ability of the Indian bowlers, but he was content with his tactics against them during the second Test in Delhi. "They're extremely skilful bowlers, but I was really pleased with the way I was going forward and back and watching length and a few of the things I'd worked on. It was a small sample piece but over here small sample pieces can be a little bit of gold," said Head.
He also expects skipper Pat Cummins to skip the rest oF the ongoing series given his troubles at home, with his mother admitted to the hospital in a serious condition.
"We're a close group, so a lot of the guys have reached out to him. He's got a lot of close friends here. The limited conversations that we've all had probably with him, it's always a hard moment. We fully expect him to be at home. Life's a bigger thing than cricket. It's more important for him to be at home than be here. We truck on and find ways as a team to support him and to get on with the job," Head said about his long-time teammate and current Test captain of Australia.
