Is Travis Head's weakness exposed after IPL form hits snag against RCB?

| TOI Sports Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Apr 26, 2024, 11:06 IST

Travis Head, Australia and Sunrisers Hyderabad opener, struggled ... Read More

NEW DELHI: Australia and Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Travis Head faced a setback in his scorching run in the Indian Premier League as he managed just one run against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

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Head's innings came to an abrupt end when he was dismissed by RCB's all-rounder Will Jacks' useful off-spin, with a top-edge from his bat being caught by Karn Sharma.

IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAP

The opener's struggle against spin bowling has been evident throughout this IPL season. Against spin, Head has only managed to score 63 runs at an average of 15.75 and a strike rate of 150.

In contrast, his performance against pace has been remarkable, amassing 262 runs at an average of 87.33 and a staggering strike rate of 236. Despite being dismissed thrice by pacers, Head's dominance against pace remains undeniable.

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In the ongoing season, Travis Head has accumulated 325 runs at an impressive average of 46.42 and a blistering strike rate of 212.41. This includes a century and two fifties, with his best score being 102. He stands as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the tournament thus far.

While Head's recent struggle against spin may raise concerns, his overall performance in IPL 2024 has been stellar, showcasing his ability to deliver impactful innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

IPL 2024: Spinners help RCB defeat SRH

Indian spinners Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh took four key wickets to help IPL's lowest-ranked Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 35 runs in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Faf du Plessis-led RCB won the toss and scored a par 206-7 against SRH who could only score 171-8 as RCB registered only their second win in nine games.

Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli hit a slow 43-ball 51 and stitched a 48-run opening partnership with Plessis, who fell after hitting 12-ball 25.

Will Jacks (6) fell early before Rajat Patidar's explosive 20-ball 50 propelled RCB to 130 in the 13th over, when the rookie batter fell to Jaydev Unadkat.

Kohli fell in the 15th over leaving RCB reeling at 140-4 as their innings lost momentum and wickets of Mahipal Lomror (7) and Dinesh Karthik (11) by the 19th over.

Cameron Green hit an unbeaten 20-ball 37 to provide a final flourish as Unadkat (3-30) and T Natarajan (2-39) finished with five wickets between them.

SRH explosive opener Travis Head (1) fell in the first over of the chase to Jacks and Abhishek Sharma hit 13-ball 31 before he fell in the fourth over.

RCB's Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh took three key middle-order wickets to leave SRH at 5-69 in the eighth over of the chase.

SRH skipper Pat Cummins hit 15-ball 31 with three sixes before falling to Green, who bowled two tight overs for 12 runs and two wickets.

(With inputs from ANI)

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