Australia’s swashbuckling batter Travis Head has become the new villain for Indian cricket fans. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fans adore Travis Head during the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the same fans go against him when he sports the Australian jersey against India.
It all started on that fateful night of November 19, 2023, when Head broke a billion Indian hearts, and since then, he’s been a thorn in the side of the India National Cricket Team.
From his heroics in the 2023 World Test Championship final at Lord’s to his domination in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Head has been the biggest obstacle on India’s way.
Travis Head acknowledges Indian fans’ passion amid love-hate saga
Despite being loved by Sunrisers Hyderabad fans, Indian supporters nationwide still remember the damage he’s done to their national team. He himself admitted that he knows Indian fans love to hate him, but he respects their passion for cricket and understands the intensity of their emotions.
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Travis Head was quoted as saying by News18, “I take it as it comes. I respect the fact that India is such a big country with such a big following. I’ve been very fortunate to play well in a couple of games. It’s not in my nature, so I guess I play it up in a jovial way.
Some of the stuff that comes out, I find it funny in terms of Australia vs India or the result or my performance; it doesn’t spur me on anymore. I just go and try to enjoy myself, play well.”
How Travis Head became India’s most hated and loved Australian star
Head’s affair with India began in 2018 with impressive knocks of 72 and 58 in Adelaide and Perth. But the explosive Australian batter’s defining moment came in the 2023 WTC final, where his career-best 163 shattered India’s dream of winning the ICC Mace.
The heartbreak continued when Head smashed a century in the 2023 World Cup final, ending India’s 10-match unbeaten streak and denying the Men in Blue the chance to lift the title in front of the home crowd after 12 years.
Head didn’t stop there, punishing India with scores of 140 and 152 in Adelaide and Brisbane during the recent Test series, as they lost the BGT after one decade.
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I definitely feel that relationship with the fans: Travis Head
Apart from contributing to Australia’s winning cause, the left-handed batter made his presence felt with a fiery 79 in the 2024 T20 World Cup and a quick 39 in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against India, but India managed to win both matches and eventually clinched the trophy.
Head signed off by saying, “I’ve been put in a position against India quite a few times in the last 18 months and have been able to play well, but on the same note, they’ve played well against us a few times too. So, I definitely feel that relationship with the fans.”
On Thursday, April 3, Head will be seen in action when the Sunrisers Hyderabad take on the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in the IPL 2025 clash.
