By his explosive standards Travis Head has yet to catch light this Indian Premier League campaign but he has helped set the platform for Abishek Sharma's pyrotechnics as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Delhi Capitals by 47 runs.
Sharma blitzed the visitors for an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls as Sunrisers piled up 2-242 in their 20 overs. Capitals were rarely in the hunt and closed on 9-195.
Head and Sharma are known as "Travishek", and are in the third season of a fearsome opening partnership, three times racking up a century in the powerplay, a feat the other nine IPL teams have managed twice between them in 19 editions.
The Australian batter and his Indian opening partner did not manage that this time, scoring a mere 67 off the first six overs, but had put on 97 in 53 balls when Head, having just launched Axar Patel for six, pulled a drag-down to wide mid-wicket.
Head made 37 off 26 balls, bringing his tally this season to 180 runs at an average 25.71. He is yet to record a half-century and his timing was again off, but with Sharma he had given Sunrisers a base to work with and they took full advantage.
Ishan Kishan made 25 off 13 balls before being being unluckily run-out backing up. Then Heinrich Klaasen smacked 37no off 13, but the show remained Sharma's. He hit ten sixes and ten fours.
Head then took a break, being subbed off for impact player Dilshan Madushanka who soon made an impact having Sri Lankan compatriot Pathum Nissanka caught for eight.
Nevertheless, Capitals closed the powerplay at 1-59, marginally behind Travishek's mark with Nitesh Rana (57 in 30) motoring. But midway through the innings they lost three wickets in five balls, including Rana, leaving them 4-107.
Eshan Malinga took two of those in two balls and ended with 4-32 as Capitals faded. Sunrisers move third, one of three teams on eight points behind Ricky Ponting's leaders Punjab Kings on 10.
