Travis Head's IPL heroics overshadowed by 'craziest' match in cricket history

Travis Head starred for Sunrisers Hyderabad as records tumbled in the IPL on Wednesday. The Aussie scored an incredible 62 off just 24 balls but his stunning innings was overshadowed by what has been dubbed the 'craziest' IPL match ever, with the game setting a new mark for the highest-scoring T20 match in history.

On a night where records fell left right and centre, Sunrisers set a new IPL record for the highest total in the competition's history, finishing 3 for 277. Mumbai put up a fierce fight in their chase but ended up 31 runs short on 5 for 246.

It was little consolation but their chase contributed to a new record for the highest-scoring T20 match, with 523 runs scored, surpassing the 517 set by South Africa and the West Indies just over a year ago. The match also broke another record for the most maximums hit in a T20 game, 38.

Head stole all the headlines early, bringing up his fifty from just 18 balls, only for teammate Abhishek Sharma to reach the mark in 16 deliveries. The Australian batsman appeared back to his best as he smacked three sixes and nine fours in an exhilarating innings. He also helped the team bring up their hundred in only seven overs as Hyderabad posted the tournament's highest-ever total in the first 10 overs of 2-148.

After both he and Sharma were dismissed, the South African pair of Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram picked up where they left off hitting 80 and 42 not out respectively as the Sunrisers surpassed the previous IPL record team total of 5 for 263 - set by Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013 - finishing 3-277.

In response Mumbai set off at a tremendous clip, whacking 56 runs off the first 19 balls. They kept pace with the high run rate for a long time - reaching 150 in the 10th over - but eventually all five top-order batsmen were caught as they tried their best to keep up with the climbing required run rate.

Sunrisers captain Pat Cummins chipped in with the ball, taking the key wicket of opener Rohit Sharma (26 off 12 balls) and later Tilak Varma (64 off 34). Mumbai still finished with an incredible score of 5-246, and in turn, helped the match reach the highest total in T20 history.

The number of records broken somewhat overshadowed Head's innings. The Aussie looked back to his best after enduring an up-and-down summer, appearing to recapture the form that helped Australia to World Cup glory last year. Head showed his power and precision throughout his innings in a promising sign ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. His free-flowing batting set a strong platform for his IPL side to reach the record total and social media was abuzz with his return to form.

Mitch Marsh most likely to captain Australia at T20 World Cup in June

Australian coach Andrew McDonald earlier this month confirmed Mitch Marsh is in the box seat to lead Australia at the T20 World Cup in June. Since Aaron Finch's retirement, Marsh has captained the T20 side on multiple occasions, with Matt Wade the only other player to have led the team post-Finch.

Cummins - who also captains the Sunrisers in the IPL - is viewed as another potential T20 captaincy option after leading Australia to the ODI World Cup triumph at the end of last year. However, speaking after Australia wrapped up the Test series against New Zealand 2-0, McDonald said Marsh is his preferred option.

"That will be a discussion when we get home. I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so I've just got to get that ticked off in certain areas," he said. "We're happy and comfortable with the way he's been able to operate with that T20 team. We think he's the leader for the World Cup, and I think that will just be a matter of due course."

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Marsh captained the T20 side to a 3-0 series whitewash over the Black Caps and appears almost certain to captain the side in the tournament opener against Oman in Barbados on June 6. Before the New Zealand T20 series, Marsh said he didn't feel that he was on trial as captain, stating that he was proud to be handed the extra responsibility.

"I'm not auditioning for the role. I'm here to do a job," he said. "I'm very proud to captain Australia within the series and those decisions will be made over the coming months."

with AAP