Aggressive left-hand Australian batter Travis Head, whose century was instrumental in Australia winning the 2023 ODI World Cup, was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 6.80 crore. Head had previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017.
Head's stocks rose after his sublime form in the recently concluded ODI World Cup, where he displayed stellar performances in the knock out stages. Head scored 62 and picked up two wickets with his off-breaks against South Africa in Kolkata in the semi-finals. In the crucial final against a red hot India, Head smashed a match-changing 137 against in Ahmedabad.
Head also proved to be India's nemesis in the World Test Championship. His innings of 163, accompanied by by Steve Smith's 121, helped Australia set up a massive 209-run victory against India at The Oval. However, Smith went unsold at the IPL auction.
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Head, who was the player of the match in the World Cup semis and final, saw a bidding war between Chennai Super Kings and SRH before the Hyderabad team sealed the deal at Rs 6.8 crore.
Head will look to fill the gap left by England's Harry Brook after the batter was released by SRH ahead of the auction. Brook had played as an opener and in the middle order for the Hyderabad franchise but failed to put up consistent performances.
Head is also an excellent fielder, making him an excellent package for white-ball cricket.
At the auction, West Indian T20 captain Rovman Powell was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 7.4 crore after winning the bidding war against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Harry Brook, who was bought by SRH for 13.25 crore in the last auction, had to settle for a lesser sum this time and was sold to Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore. Indian batters Karun Nair and Manish Pandey, however, were not picked up by any franchise.