As IPL 2024 concluded, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) found themselves with two standout overseas players who were pivotal in the team’s performance, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen. Both played crucial roles with the bat, putting up impressive numbers and contributing in team’s success especially with their powerful hitting. Today we will have an analytical comparsion to find which player Sunrisers Hyderabad should retain for IPL 2025. Not to forget, BCCI has put the deadline of 31st october for all the franchises to submit the list of their retained players.
Travis Head IPL 2024 Performance
- Runs: 567
- Matches: 15
- Innings: 15
- Not Outs: 1
- Highest Score: 102
- Average: 40.50
- Balls Faced: 296
- Strike Rate: 191.55
- Hundreds: 1
- Fifties: 4
- Ducks: 3
- Fours: 64
- Sixes: 32
Travis Head had a stellar season for SRH in 2024. His tally of 567 runs from 15 innings made him one of the most dependable and explosive batsmen for the team. With an impressive average of 40.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 191.55. Head was a force to be reckoned with. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently was evident in his four half-centuries and one century, with a high score of 102.
What stands out most about Head’s performance is his boundary-hitting ability. He smashed 64 fours and 32 sixes, showing that he could both find the gaps and clear the ropes with ease. His aggressive style of play allowed SRH to maintain high scoring rates, particularly in the powerplay and middle overs, giving the team a significant advantage in several matches.
However, Head’s aggressive approach came with risks. His three ducks suggest that when he failed, he tended to fail quickly, leaving the middle order exposed. But, overall, his ability to play match-defining innings proved that he could be reliable player for SRH for years.
Heinrich Klaasen IPL 2024 Performance
- Runs: 479
- Matches: 16
- Innings: 15
- Not Outs: 3
- Highest Score: 80*
- Average: 39.91
- Balls Faced: 280
- Strike Rate: 171.07
- Hundreds: 0
- Fifties: 4
- Ducks: 0
- Fours: 19
- Sixes: 38
Heinrich Klaasen also had a fantastic season, playing a crucial role in the middle order. He scored 479 runs with a strong average of 39.91, just slightly below Head’s, and his strike rate of 171.07 was impressive, showing his capability to accelerate when needed.
Klaasen’s key strength lies in his finishing ability. With 38 sixes, he was lethal during the death overs, consistently clearing the boundary when the team needed quick runs. Unlike Head, Klaasen went the entire season without a duck, showcasing his consistency and resilience, even under pressure.
Klaasen did not score a century, but registered four half-centuries, with a highest score of 80*. His ability to remain not out in 3 of his 15 innings highlights his role as a finisher.
Comparative Analysis
When comparing Head and Klaasen, it becomes clear that both bring different strengths to the table. Head is a more explosive top-order batsman, while Klaasen is a reliable middle-order finisher.
Strike Rate and Boundary-Hitting:
- Head outperformed Klaasen in terms of strike rate (191.55 vs 171.07), which reflects his ability to dominate bowlers from the start. His 64 fours also indicate his capacity to find gaps, while his 32 sixes highlight his power hitting.
- Klaasen, while having a lower strike rate, hit more sixes (38), establishing his role as a powerful finisher. His ability to hit sixes in the death overs makes him an invaluable asset for SRH.
Who Should SRH Retain?
Retaining both players would be ideal, but considering the practical limitations of team composition and the availability of overseas slots, SRH may need to choose between them.
Travis Head had been excellent with his Indian batting partner Abhishek Sharma. If we see the winning percentage of SRH, the team has won the match whenever Travis Head had scored big. On the other hand, Heinrich Klaasen is one of those players who actually proved to be a solid backbone for SRH in middle over and death overs. On the basis of these analysis, SRH should make a way for both these batters.
