Travis Head has built a reputation as one of the most destructive batters in modern cricket, and he showed why in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) IPL 2025 opener against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Known for his aggressive stroke play, Head came out firing from the very start, smashing the RR bowlers to all corners of the park. However, his blazing innings was eventually halted by Tushar Deshpande in the 10th over.
Deshpande, who had a point to prove after being released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), delivered a full-length ball outside off, tempting Head to go for an expansive drive. The left-hander tried to clear mid-off, but the timing eluded him. Instead of soaring over the ropes, the ball found the safe hands of Shimron Hetmyer, stationed precisely for such a mishit.
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The catch was as crucial as it was well-judged, and Deshpande’s pumped-up reaction reflected the significance of the dismissal. There was a brief moment of heated celebration from Deshpande, a mix of relief and aggression, but Head walked off without any fuss, knowing he had already made a significant impact.
𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊! ☝
Deshpande claims the big fish, Travis Head departs after a quickfire 67 off just 31 balls!
Is 300 possible today? 🤔
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 23, 2025
His explosive partnership with Abhishek Sharma had set the tone, dismantling RR’s plans during the Powerplay. Sharma, too, played a fiery knock, while Ishan Kishan carried forward the momentum after Head’s departure.
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SRH looks well-positioned to breach the 200-run mark, with plenty of batting firepower still to come. Meanwhile, RR’s decision to leave out Wanindu Hasaranga raised eyebrows, hinting at their intention to bring in Sanju Samson as an Impact Player in the second innings. As the match unfolds, it will be interesting to see if RR can bounce back from Head’s onslaught or if SRH will capitalize on their strong start.
