WATCH: Travis Head in Fiery Clash with Maxwell and Stoinis During SRH vs PBKS IPL 2025 Thriller
In a high-octane IPL 2025 encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Australian trio Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis found themselves at the center of a heated on-field altercation during the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The match, which saw SRH chase down a daunting 246 with eight wickets to spare in just 18.3 overs, was as much about raw emotions as it was about extraordinary cricketing prowess.
The drama unfolded in the ninth over of SRH’s chase when Head, representing Sunrisers, smashed Maxwell for back-to-back sixes. Attempting to unsettle the bowler, Head made room for a big shot, only for Maxwell to fire in a quicker, length ball. Head managed to hit it straight back, but Maxwell, in a moment of frustration, threw the ball aggressively towards the wicketkeeper. This gesture didn’t sit well with Head, sparking a sharp verbal exchange between the two compatriots.
The situation escalated further when Marcus Stoinis, playing for PBKS, stepped in to support Maxwell, only to be brusquely dismissed by an agitated Head. The on-field umpire quickly intervened, urging the players to cool down as tensions threatened to boil over in front of a packed Hyderabad crowd.
Head’s fiery stint at the crease came to an end three overs later when he was caught by none other than Maxwell off spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling. Despite the tension, Head managed a commendable 66 off 37 balls, studded with nine fours and three sixes. Post-match, Head played down the incident in a light-hearted chat with broadcasters, saying, ‘It’s all in good fun. When you know each other so well and play against each other often, they bring out the best—and sometimes the worst—in you. It’s just friendly banter, nothing more. I’ve got to deal with them back home too!’
While the altercation grabbed headlines, the match itself was a spectacle of exceptional batting. Punjab Kings posted a formidable 245/6, propelled by Shreyas Iyer’s classy 82 and Stoinis’ quickfire 34. However, SRH responded with ruthless intent, led by opener Abhishek Sharma, who blazed his way to a jaw-dropping 141 off just 55 balls—his maiden IPL century and the third-highest individual score in IPL history, trailing only Chris Gayle’s 175* (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2013) and Brendon McCullum’s 158* (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2008).
Sharma’s blitz included reaching his half-century in a mere 19 balls, setting an electrifying tone for the chase. Alongside Head, he forged a staggering 171-run opening partnership, the highest of the IPL 2025 season so far. This monumental effort ensured SRH’s chase became the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history, just behind Punjab Kings’ record of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2024.
This victory was a much-needed boost for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who climbed off the bottom of the 10-team IPL table with their second win in six matches. For PBKS, despite the loss, individual performances offered promise, but their bowling unit struggled to contain SRH’s rampant batting lineup on a flat Hyderabad pitch.
As the IPL 2025 season heats up, this clash will be remembered not just for the fireworks with the bat, but for the intense Australian rivalry that briefly stole the spotlight. With emotions running high and stakes even higher, moments like these remind us why the IPL remains the most captivating T20 league in the world.