IPL 2024 Auction buzz: Travis Head tops wishlist for 3 franchises

As the echoes of the ODI World Cup 2023 still resonate, cricket enthusiasts are already shifting their focus to the upcoming IPL 2024. With the IPL Auction scheduled for December 19th and the Transfer period closing on November 26th, the anticipation is high among the IPL enthusiasts. Among the potential game-changers in the mix, the Player of the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Travis Head, stands out as a prime catch for franchises.

Head's spectacular performance in the ODI World Cup final played a pivotal role in Australia securing their sixth title. Initially not part of the Aussie squad, Head's comeback saw him scoring two centuries, showcasing his prowess with the bat. He scored a hundred in his comeback match against England in the group stage and followed it up with another ton in the final against India. He scored 2 hundreds in this year’s world cup, one in his first and one in his last game this year for Australia.

 Travis head has played in the IPL before, for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017. His inclusion in the IPL 2024 would undoubtedly inject confidence into any team, bolstering their top-order batting.

Here are 3 IPL teams eyeing Travis Head for the 2024 season:

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
The two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders are looking for a reliable opener. With the return of Shreyas Iyer and the mastery of Gautam Gambhir as mentor, Travis Head could well be in their minds to complete their search for the perfect opening combination. They have Jason Roy and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in their squad, but both of them have been inconsistent and injury-prone. Travis Head could  provide stability and firepower to the KKR batting line-up. He could also chip in with a few overs of spin if needed.

2. Punjab Kings (PBKS):
Punjab Kings bought some incredible players in the 2023 auction but couldn’t find the right combination to achieve consistency. Punjab Kings had a disappointing 2023 season with an eighth-place finish. Opener Bhanuka Rajapaksha has been promising but not very consistent. Punjab Kings can go for Travis Head as their answer to all the questions. He could also provide some leadership and experience to the young Punjab side, which has lacked direction and confidence.

3. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
The 2016 champions spent a lot of money on England youngster Harry Brook, who barring a sensational century, failed to fire throughout the tournament. Hence, Hyderabad could release Brook and go for Travis Head as a top-order batter alongside the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Anmolpreet Singh and Aiden Markram. Despite building a star-studded squad, the Sunrisers Hyderabad had a dismal season as they managed to win just four games in the 2023 season. They need someone like Travis Head, who can anchor the innings and also accelerate when required. He could also complement the bowling attack, which has been the strength of SRH over the years.

As the IPL 2024 auctions approach, the potential inclusion of Travis Head has ignited discussions among fans and cricket experts alike. Which franchise will secure the services of the ODI World Cup hero? The answer will unfold on December 19th, adding another layer of excitement to the cricketing calendar.