IPL 2024: Travis Head's Advice on Powerplay Crucial as SRH Steamroll LSG with 10-Wicket Win

Sunrisers Hyderabad climbed to the third spot in the IPL 2024 standings with a massive 10-wicket win over Lucknow Supergiants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. SRH restricted LSG to 165 in 20 overs as openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma put on an unbeaten opening partnership of 167 to end the game with 62 balls to spare. Head managed an unbeaten 89 off just 30 balls and was ably supported by Sharma, who added 75 off 28 balls. The Australian was awarded the Player of the Match for his feat and expressed his delight at the partnership he has formed with the young Indian.

“Today was a lot of fun. It is nice to complete this in 10 overs. Abhi and I had a little partnership like this,” began the southpaw. The SRH openers have been a nightmare for the opposition bowling units this season and Head, in keeping with his approach, said he wanted to maximize the powerplay overs. "We just try to focus on getting in good position, look hard at the ball and try to maximize the powerplay." The Aussie southpaw opened up about attacking spinners and opined that he is focusing ahead of the ICC T20I World Cup, which will begin after the conclusion of the IPL. “That's something I'm working on, it's going to be a big part in the Caribbean as well. Going 360 is important in the modern game,” he explained.

He also addressed the maverick brand of cricket that he plays and said that is what he is trying to implement in international colors as well. “For the last 12 months, that's how they wanted me to play in the Aussie team, and I've been asked to do the same here. I don't need to change," he declared.

The Australian praised his SRH opening partner and was delighted with the youngster's performance.

“I know how hard he works and how deep he thinks, his spin game is second to none. We complement each other. And it's nice to see him back in the middle of the run after missing the last two matches,” said Head. Head also acknowledged the impact of the crowd on the day and talked about chasing the total in a quick fashion after the team was informed about the net run rate. "We didn't think about it until the time was over, but then, the boys came out and told us to score quickly. The crowd was phenomenal tonight, that's what we need after losing the last two," he signed off.