SRH’s ‘Travishek’ Duo Struggles for Consistency as Playoff Hopes Dwindle
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) celebrated opening duo, have struggled to replicate their explosive 2024 form in IPL 2025. Once hailed as the most destructive pair in the league, their inconsistent performances have left SRH languishing near the bottom, now needing to win all five remaining matches to have any playoff hope. Apart from a record-breaking 171-run stand off just 75 balls against Punjab Kings-the second-highest successful chase in IPL history-their partnerships have been meager: 0, 2, 59, 9, 4, 11, 15, and 45.
This season, their fearless approach, which made them T20 sensations last year, has largely misfired. While Abhishek’s 141 off 55 against PBKS was a rare highlight, the pair’s inability to provide regular starts has hampered SRH’s campaign. In contrast, Gujarat Titans’ openers, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill, have exemplified consistency, averaging over 60 and building match-winning stands without chasing unrealistic totals.
Abhishek, known for his strike rate (155.84) and adaptability, and Head, whose 567-run, high-impact 2024 season set high expectations, have yet to rediscover their magic. With SRH’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the duo must quickly recalibrate their approach, perhaps taking a leaf from GT’s book: prioritize stability over aggression in the powerplay to set a platform for their middle order.