Covid-19 To Travis Head! Who Should Open For SRH With Abhishek Sharma Against LSG?

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan (Source: AP Photos)

On Sunday, May 18, Daniel Vettori, the SRH coach revealed that Travis Head had a Covid recently and would reach India on Monday morning. Thus, his participation in the SRH's game against LSG is in doubt, and Abhishek Sharma might have a new partner at the top of the order.

The easiest option for SRH would be to bring back Ishan Kishan to his natural opening position. Ishan Kishan has batted at number 3 this season, due to the presence of Head and Abhishek Sharma, but has been successful as an opener for Mumbai Indians, and at the international level.

Ishan Kishan As Opener In IPL

Thus, he can open the innings with Abhishek Sharma and Kamindu Mendis who is a quality batter, can take the number 3 position. This will help SRH keep their rest of the middle order intact and they would continue with formidable top-3 in their batting line-up.

Ishan Kishan Likely To Get Back His Favourite Opening Position

The other option is bringing in Atharva Taide as an opener. Taide has played for Punjab Kings in IPL, and has two fifties in nine matches. In that case, SRH might have to find a way to fit in Kamindu in the middle order or they might just have to ignore him and go with just one overseas batter, Heinrich Klaasen. Thus, it would be a risky option given the utility Kamindu Mendis brings to the table both with the bat and ball.

Kamindu Mendis has also done well this season, thus including him over Atharva Taide makes sense in the absence of Travis Head. Also, SRH need a player who can play the anchor role in the line-up of power-hitters and it would also give opportunity to Ishan Kishan to bat at his favourite position and get back to some form after a disappointing season.

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