Aggressive Australian left-handed batsman Travis Head, whose century played a crucial role in Australia’s triumph in the 2023 ODI World Cup, secured a spot with Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 6.80 crore in the IPL auction. Previously part of Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017, Head’s recent stellar performances in the World Cup, where he delivered impressive displays in the knockout stages, contributed to an intense bidding war between Chennai Super Kings and SRH. Ultimately, Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched the deal at Rs 6.8 crore.
Head showcased his prowess in the World Cup semifinals, scoring 62 and taking two wickets with his off-breaks against South Africa in Kolkata. In the crucial final against India, he played a match-defining innings of 137 in Ahmedabad. The Australian batter also played a pivotal role in the World Test Championship, scoring 163 against India at The Oval, leading to a resounding 209-run victory. Despite his impactful performances, Steve Smith, his teammate, went unsold at the IPL auction.
The acquisition of Travis Head is expected to fill the void left by England’s Harry Brook, who was released by SRH before the auction. Known for his versatility as an opener and middle-order batsman, Brook failed to maintain consistent performances, leading to his release.
Travis Head, recognized for his aggressive batting style, exceptional fielding skills, and all-round capabilities, makes him a valuable asset for white-ball cricket. In other auction highlights, West Indian T20 captain Rovman Powell was secured by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 7.4 crore, while Harry Brook, who was bought by SRH for 13.25 crore in the previous auction, found a spot with Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore. However, Indian batters Karun Nair and Manish Pandey remained unpicked by any franchise.