Heinrich Klaasen Player Profile

Heinrich Klaasen is a dynamic South African wicketkeeper-batsman. He is known for his explosive power-hitting and versatility across formats. Klaasen first made his mark as an injury replacement for Quinton de Kock. However, he quickly established himself in the middle order in limited-overs cricket with his aggressive strokeplay.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Schooled at Menlopark High School and the University of Pretoria, Klaasen made his first-class debut for Northerns in the 2012-13 season. He averaged 42.58 in the provincial three-day cup, showing promise early on. In February 2017, he scored 195 runs to help Titans beat Dolphins. This was his first franchise century, marking a milestone in his career.

International Success and Record-Breaking Performances

Klaasen’s international debut came with a spectacular display of power-hitting. In his second T20I against India in Centurion (2018), he scored 69 off just 30 balls. His first international century came against Australia in 2020, where he scored an unbeaten 123 in a big one-day win at Paarl.

In 2023, Klaasen stunned Australia once again. He scored 174 off 83 balls in Centurion, making the second-highest individual score by a No. 5 or lower batter in ODI history. This incredible innings cemented his place as one of the most powerful hitters in international cricket.

IPL and T20 Success

Klaasen has made a name for himself in the IPL and other T20 leagues. His phenomenal record against slow bowling makes him a valuable asset. In the 2023 IPL, he struck at 191 and averaged 132 against spin. This made him a key player for T20 franchises. He played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018 and 2019. However, since 2023, he has been a regular fixture in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) middle order.

Heinrich Klaasen IPL Factfile

• Heinrich Klaasen played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018 and 2019.
• Since 2023, he has been a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), especially in the middle order.
• He smashed 51 sixes across IPL 2023 and 2024, becoming known for his big-hitting ability.
• SRH retained him ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction for a record price of INR 23 crores.

Heinrich Klaasen continues to impress with his explosive batting and consistency across all formats. His power-hitting and leadership abilities make him a key player for South Africa and in T20 leagues globally. Klaasen is undoubtedly one of the players to watch in the future of world cricket.