Klaasen Deserves a Bigger Role — a sentiment gaining traction as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) endure a tough run in IPL 2025, with just two wins from eight matches. Amid the chaos, Heinrich Klaasen has emerged as the consistent shining light. Yet, despite his game-changing performances, he continues to bat too low in the order — a strategy former England cricketer Nick Knight believes is holding SRH back from their true potential.
Klaasen Deserves a Bigger Role: Klaasen’s Impactful Runs Being Undermined by Batting Position
With 281 runs in eight innings at a powerful strike rate of 159.65 and an average of 40.14, Klaasen sits just outside the Orange Cap top 10. He’s not just scoring runs — he’s doing it under pressure, often rescuing SRH from desperate situations. Yet surprisingly, he regularly walks in after the top-order collapse, often too late to influence the game fully — a clear sign that Klaasen Deserves a Bigger Role in the batting order.
His most recent knock, a valiant 71 off 44 balls against Mumbai Indians, came at No. 5 when SRH were reeling at 13 for 3 — a situation that once again proved why Klaasen deserves a bigger role. Partnering with Impact Player Abhinav Manohar, he built a 99-run stand to push SRH to 143/8 — a recovery that showcased his class and temperament.
Nick Knight, analyzing the performance on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, didn’t mince words:
“He’s batting far too low in that side. Six overs or a tick over, get him out there. He just needs more opportunities.”
Knight’s point hits home when considering Klaasen’s consistency — his lowest score this season is an unbeaten 21. In a team struggling for form, the South African wicketkeeper-batter has become SRH’s batting backbone.
Former India pacer Varun Aaron echoed the sentiment, praising Klaasen’s calm and precise batting technique:
“He just doesn’t give the bowler anything. Hands through the ball — no overhitting. It’s effortless yet effective.”
However, SRH’s team strategy hasn’t supported Klaasen’s potential impact, even though many believe Klaasen deserves a bigger role. Head coach Daniel Vettori defended the current order, saying the team is committed to aggressive starts through Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. But that aggressive style has frequently backfired — such as when SRH collapsed to 24 for 4 after the powerplay against Mumbai.
“Klaasen and Abhinav had a wonderful partnership… but it wasn’t enough,” Vettori admitted at the post-match press conference.
The numbers are clear. The intent is evident. What remains is action. Klaasen’s brilliance is not in doubt — but SRH’s usage of him certainly is.
As SRH’s playoff hopes fade, realigning the batting order could be the turning point they desperately need. Klaasen deserves a bigger role—promoting him up the order may be the bold, winning move that injects fresh momentum into their IPL 2025 campaign.
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