'He's gone through all the necessary COVID protocols'- SRH bowling coach James Franklin gives massive update on Travis Head's availability

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to play their last league game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). One of the recent issues the franchise has been facing is the fitness of one of their biggest batting stars in Travis Head, who missed the last game because of COVID.

Questions still surround Head and his chances of playing the upcoming game at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. However, SRH bowling coach James Franklin has finally given a positive fitness update on the swashbuckling Aussie left-handed opening batter, saying that the two-time ICC title winner has gone through all the protocols and is fit and ready for selection for the match on May 23 on Friday.

“As far as I'm aware, he's gone through all the necessary COVID protocols. So yes, he's fit and ready for selection for tomorrow's game," Franklin said during the pre-match press conference.

SRH and RCB's last

This might be the first time the Orange Army will be up against the Bengaluru franchise this season, but they were involved in some incredible, high-scoring games last season. The first game of 2024 saw the Hyderabad franchise set the highest score in IPL history, smashing 287-3 in the first innings. RCB made a valiant effort to get close to the score but eventually fell 25 runs short of the target. Travis Head had scored a terrific century during the game and was adjudged the player of the match.

The reverse fixture witnessed RCB get their revenge, setting a total of 206-7 on the board. The Bengaluru bowlers did a terrific job by restricting the Sunrisers to 171-8 in the end and ended up winning the game by 35 runs. Rajat Patidar was the player of the match for his quickfire 50 off 20 deliveries in the match, and Karn Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/29 in his four overs.