IPL 2025: 3 Reasons Why RCB Will Look To Bring Travis Head Back To Their Team

Travis Head [X]Travis Head [X]

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League saw the Kolkata Knight Riders lifting the coveted trophy a third time. Months have passed since then, and there is still time for the next edition of the grand league to begin. However, IPL 2025 is already a point of discussion among cricket fans and experts. This is because there is a mega-auction scheduled ahead of the tournament. With retentions, releases and RTMs on the table, big changes in the dynamics of all the teams are expected. 

KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the IPL 2024. Although SRH lost in the final, they came up with one of the most daring approaches to playing cricket in the tournament. One of the prime architects behind SRH's aggressive style of play was their Australian opener, Travis Head. Along with Abhishek Sharma, Head got the team off to some blazing starts, paving the way for some massive totals. 

Well, Head's exploits have not been limited to IPL only. He has taken the international arena with storm by his attacking batting style. In the ongoing ODI series against England, Head came up with a destructive knock of 154 runs, taking Australia to a convincing win while chasing a formidable target of 315 runs in 50 overs. 

If SRH releases Head, many teams will be looking to buy him during the auction. One of the teams could be Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Here are three reasons why RCB will look to buy Travis Head during the upcoming auction if SRH releases him - 

3. RCB's habit of picking a top-heavy batting line-up

Over the years, RCB packed their team with powerful hitters and reputed names in the T20 format for their top order. This has often seen the team struggling to balance and losing games because of the fragile middle order. 

Despite the problems they have suffered with their middle order, RCB has always been inclined towards picking top-order batters. This is one of the reasons the franchise might bid hard for the Australian opener. 

2. Probable release of Faf du Plessis

Over the last three seasons, Faf du Plessis has formed a successful opening partnership with the star Indian batter, Virat Kohli. The duo has given RCB some good starts, often laying the foundation for a formidable team and guiding the team to a win. However, ahead of IPL 2025, RCB might look to retain Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Will Jacks/Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj. Hence, they might have to release their current skipper, Faf du Plessis. 

Releasing Faf might create a vacuum in the RCB top order, which the drafting of Travis Head can fill. The Aussie batter will not only be a solid opener for RCB, but his aggressive style of play might also allow Kohli to settle himself down at the crease. 

1. Allowing flexibility to the team

Travis Head and Virat Kohli could be a powerful couple for RCB. However, if it does not work out, they can try Kohli at number three or four to strengthen their middle order. This could be done while promoting a younger Indian batter at the opening spot. Thus, the presence of Travis Head will allow the team to have greater flexibility and dynamism in the batting order.