IPL 2025: Why is Travis Head not playing in LSG vs SRH Match 61?

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) can ill-afford a defeat on Monday, May 19, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as it would all but end their hopes of reaching the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Orange Army has already been eliminated from the race to the playoffs and is only playing for pride.

Toss Update

SRH skipper Pat Cummins called correctly at the toss and decided to bowl first. He said that the plan is to know the score that they are chasing. Cummins admitted that his team hasn't played to its potential. Meanwhile, LSG captain Rishabh Pant said that he has no problems batting first. He said that the LSG players are taking no undue pressure and looking to focus on one match at a time.

Travis Head misses out

Travis Head was ruled out of the match due to COVID-19. Cummins said at the toss that the flamboyant opener is in his hotel room. The former also mentioned that Jaydev Unadkat is missing this clash as he is on personal leave. Meanwhile, Pant announced that William O'Rourke will be making his IPL debut.

What did the captains say?

Pat Cummins, Sunrisers Hyderabad

We want to know what we are chasing. Never know what the wicket will do. We haven't played to our potential and want to reach that. A few injuries gives a few chances to the new guys. We have some unfinished business. The team has been great, but we haven't fired. Head is in his hotel room. Unadkat is on a personal leave. Taide and Harsh Dubey come in.

Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants

Don't mind doing any [bat or bowl]. We want to play one match at a time and give our 100%. No unwanted pressure, it is always there. The team has regrouped really well and they are in a good headspace. Will O'Rourke is making his IPL debut.

Playing 11s

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins (C), Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga.

Impact Substitutes: Mohammad Shami, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Abhinav Manohar, Simarjeet Singh

Lucknow Super Giants

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Akash Deep, Ravi Bishnoi, Digvesh Rathi, Avesh Khan, Will O'Rourke.

Impact Substitutes: Himmat Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manimaran Siddharth, Shardul Thakur, David Miller