Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling coach James Franklin confirmed that opener Travis Head has rejoined the team after recovering from COVID-19 and is now available for selection. SRH is scheduled to face off against Southern rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, May 23.
The match was moved from Bengaluru due to severe weather and a red alert. RCB’s previous game at the venue was also washed out. Travis Head missed SRH’s last match after testing positive for COVID-19.
However, his absence was barely felt, with Abhishek Sharma’s explosive half-century powering SRH to a six-wicket win in the high-scoring encounter. The hard-hitting Australian is likely to return directly to the playing XI following his recovery from illness.
“As far as I’m aware, he’s gone through all the necessary COVID protocols. So yes, he’s fit and ready for selection for tomorrow’s game,” Franklin said during the pre-match press conference (via the Times of India).
In Head’s absence during the previous match, SRH brought in Vidarbha batter Atharva Taide as his replacement. Taide managed 13 runs from nine balls, playing a supporting role to Abhishek Sharma during his short stint at the crease.
Travis Head Smashes Brilliant Century Against RCB in IPL 2024
The left-handed batter has faced his former team twice, amassing 103 runs at an impressive average of 51.50 and a striking rate of 234.09. He delivered a sensational 102 off just 41 balls when SRH met RCB at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2024.
However, in the return fixture, his impact was short-lived as he was dismissed for just 1 by Will Jacks in the opening over. Although SRH is already out of contention for the playoffs, they have an opportunity to inch closer to seventh-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), whom they will face in their final match of the season on Sunday, May 25.
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