Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has revealed his keen interest in picking Travis Head for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2023, expressing regret over the batter’s wedding plans impacting the decision. Head’s remarkable performance in the 2023 World Cup final against India has thrust him into the spotlight, making him a strong contender for an IPL contract.
Speaking to 7 News, Ponting explained, “Travis has done everything right to make sure he gets a deal this year. He would have had a deal last year if it wasn’t for his wedding.” Ponting conveyed that he had intended to include Head in the Delhi Capitals’ lineup but faced resistance from team owners due to the batter’s wedding plans. Head’s decision to get married two weeks into the IPL would have led to a three-week delay in his arrival, which the team owners were unwilling to gamble on.
High Expectations for Travis Head
Despite missing out on the opportunity to secure Head for Delhi Capitals, Ponting is optimistic about the batter’s prospects in the upcoming IPL auctions. He praised Head’s performances, stating, “Travis has done everything right to make sure he gets a deal this year.”
Travis Head has previous IPL experience, having played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017. In those seasons, the left-handed batter accumulated 205 runs in 10 games, showcasing his capabilities with a strike rate of 139.81.
Managing the Workload of Australian Players
Looking ahead to IPL 2024, Ponting emphasized the importance of considering the workload of Australian players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. With commitments to New Zealand, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup, Ponting anticipates discussions regarding workload management for fast bowlers at Cricket Australia.
“They go to NZ after the summer, then IPL, then T20 World Cup after that. … there’ll be a few questions asked of the high performances guys at Cricket Australia as to what the expectations might and might not be for fast bowlers in the IPL auction,” Ponting stated.
As Australia’s fringe players engage in a five-match T20I series against India, the cricketing world eagerly awaits Travis Head’s potential IPL journey and how the workload of key Australian players will be addressed in the upcoming seasons.
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