Travis Head shone in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) season match, contributing a dazzling half-century for Pat Cummins' Sunrisers Hyderabad, while simultaneously inflicting a record-breakingly poor performance on his Ashes series rival, Jofra Archer. Head's explosive innings proved to be a significant factor in the game's outcome.
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03-25, 2025The Australian left-hander continued Hyderabad's outstanding form in the 2024 season, his blistering 67 off 31 balls helping the home side to the second-highest total in IPL history, a massive 6-286 to defeat the Rajasthan Royals in Sunday's opener, winning by 44 runs. This dominant performance set a high bar for the rest of the tournament.
Head quickly reached 50 off 21 balls in his familiar chaotic style, with Archer the main victim. He was smashed for 23 off his first over by the Australian, including a massive 105-metre six straight into the deep mid-wicket crowd. This was only the beginning of Archer's nightmare, indicating the intense pressure of the game.
Even after Head departed, Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught, smashing a hundred off just 45 balls, with Archer again a target. The Indian international hit three sixes in one over. Eventually, Archer trudged off after his four overs, during which he was even warned for bowling a beamer that was too high, left him staring at the figures of 4-0-76-0 – the worst analysis in the league's history. Archer's struggles highlighted the challenges faced by bowlers in the high-scoring environment of the IPL.
Hyderabad fell just short of breaking the IPL record of 3-287 set against Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, while Kishan finished unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls. Cummins admitted: "It was carnage…" The team's near-record score demonstrated their formidable batting lineup.
Cummins' own bowling suffered the same treatment, his four overs going for a miserable 0-60, being smashed for five sixes and four fours. His fellow Australian Adam Zampa, coming in as a substitute for Head, was also smashed for 48, but at least responded with the key wicket of Dhruv Jurel, who threatened the team with six sixes in a top-scoring 70 off 35 balls. These high scores underscored the importance of taking wickets to control the game.
It was a perfect start for Cummins, who led the Sunrisers to the final last year and has now been bolstered by the new signing of Kishan, he has realistic hopes of going one better in 2025. "It was unbelievable," Cummins said. "To get 280-odd, it was carnage, and you still know you are going to run, it's going to be tough. When you get that many runs, one wicket can win you the game. Ishan was awesome for us today." Cummins' optimism reflects the team's confidence and ambition for the season.
In the late game, Australian bowler Nathan Ellis enjoyed a winning debut for the Chennai Super Kings, the home side beating the Mumbai Indians by four wickets with five balls to spare. Ellis took 1-38 off his four overs, helping to restrict Mumbai to a below-par 9-155, before New Zealander Rachin Ravindra led Chennai to an awkward chase with an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls. Ellis's contribution highlights the impact of Australian players in the IPL, showcasing their skills and experience.
