IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra rules out mega 20-25 crores bids for Travis Head and overseas stars

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra made an interesting remark on SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Travis Head ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Aakash Chopra said that Travis Head or any other overseas players will not cross Rs 20 cr in the auction, set to take place later this year.

On September 28, the IPL Governing Council announced the guidelines for the upcoming auction. Each franchise will have the option to retain six players via a combination of retention and Right to Match options. Sunrisers Hyderabad is among the teams looking to keep their core team from IPL 2024.

Travis Head As Right To Match - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra didn't place Travis Head in his list of Sunrisers Hyderabad retentions for the IPL 2025 mega auction. He said that Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins, and Heinrich Klaasen are more likely to be retained by the team. Chopra urged the team management to use RTM for Head in the auction.

"Abhishek Sharma Pat Cummins Klassen. Travis Head as RTM. Nitish Reddy…to be retained if he’s still uncapped. Or else RTM for him," Chopra wrote.

The new retention rules allow teams to retain two players at Rs 18 crore, two at Rs 14 crore, and one at Rs 11 crore. The SRH team has strong players like skipper Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen. SRH can choose to keep all three if they want with no cap on the number of overseas players.

Travis Head Will Fetch 20-25 Crore - A Fan

A fan disagreed with Aakash Chopra's comments about Travis Head. The fan said that it would be more beneficial for the team to use the Right to Match to acquire Heinrich Klaasen, as Head can get a price between Rs 20 to 25 crore in the auction.

"Travis head agar auction me Gaya to 20-25 crore chla jayege usse better hoga klassen ko RTM ke through le le aur head ko retain kar le (If Travis Head goes to the auction, he will fetch 20-25 crore; it would be better to get Klaasen through RTM and retain Head)," a fan wrote.

Don’t Think Any Overseas Player Will Go For 20-25 Cr - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator responded to the fan's statement. Chopra said that he doesn’t think any overseas player would go for Rs 20 to 25 crore in the upcoming auction.

"I don’t think any overseas player will go for 20-25 Cr. In this auction," Chopra said.

I don’t think any overseas player will go for 20-25 Cr. In this auction. https://t.co/6WUzSJfOLe

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 6, 2024

Travis Head played a key role for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 Indian Premier League, where they finished as the runners-up. The left-handed batter scored 567 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 40.50 and a staggering strike rate of 191.55, including one century and four half-centuries.

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