The Moment Hyderabad Stood Still: Head vs Archer
Those at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad got more than their money's worth when Travis Head literally sent the ball out of the park. In SRH’s IPL 2025 faceoff against Rajasthan Royals, Head took Jofra Archer, one of the world’s quickest and most expensive IPL buys this season, to the cleaners in a way that’s already the talk of the town. It happened in the fifth over. Archer, all pumped for his first outing in RR colors after fetching ₹12.50 crore at the auction, must have expected a solid start to his season. Instead, he delivered a bouncer that Head spotted early, swiveled, and absolutely launched—a shot so clean and powerful, the ball soared 105 meters before dropping deep into the stands over mid-wicket.
This wasn’t just any six. Stadium screens flashed the distance, and even replays needed a double take. The home crowd roared. Cameras caught a gleeful grin and claps from SRH owner Kavya Maran, who couldn’t hide her delight. Archer, meanwhile, had to watch as Head kept piling on the misery—all in one brutal over.
Headlines and History: SRH’s Powerplay Blitz
The carnage didn’t stop with the six. Head kept going, peppering boundaries around the park and racking up a whopping 23 runs in that single over from Archer. Commentators didn’t hold back, calling the treatment Archer got 'school cricket level'—that’s how much control Head had over a bowler known for terrorizing lineups.
Head’s onslaught was part of an electric opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma. The pair, who turned heads last season, stitched together 45 runs in the first three overs. Abhishek, always on the front foot, smashed 24 from 11 balls before a sharp catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal off Maheesha Theekshana broke the stand. No signs of slowing down, though. SRH's new recruit Ishan Kishan took up the charge with Head, keeping Rajasthan’s bowlers on the ropes. By the time the sixth over ended, Hyderabad had posted 94 runs—marking their third highest ever IPL powerplay score.
Head’s approach to T20 isn’t about caution—he pounced at nearly every opportunity. Fifty came up in just 21 balls, the kind of strike rate that leaves statisticians scrambling. It’s not just numbers, though; it’s how he shifted the game’s momentum with raw intent. His six off Archer has already entered highlight reels, but the bigger story is how he’s rewriting the rules for powerplay batting in the IPL.
Looking at the SRH opening duo, it’s obvious they want to kill games early. Bowlers like Archer, who’ve dominated elsewhere, have come undone against this no-holds-barred style. Fans aren’t complaining—it’s edge-of-seat stuff, especially when top order batters double down and refuse to take their foot off the gas even after a wicket falls.
SRH’s latest display doesn’t just show their muscle; it sends a message to the rest of the competition. Teams entering the powerplay against this lineup know it’s not a time for error, especially with Travis Head wielding such destructive power. This kind of hitting sets a new standard—with every enormous six, the expectations (and the crowds’ excitement) only go higher.
