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SRH's Klaasen Confident of Playoff Push Despite Rocky IPL Start

Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Heinrich Klaasen remains confident his team can secure an IPL playoffs spot, targeting 7-8 wins from their remaining matches. He rated his personal batting form as a six out of ten, aiming to improve his strike rate. Klaasen also explained his absence from wicket-keeping duties, citing a team strategy to have local players listen to captain Ishan Kishan. The keeper role was also influenced by the injury to Pat Cummins, with Klaasen hinting his keeping career is nearly over.

Key Points: Klaasen Backs SRH for IPL Playoffs Despite Mixed Start

  • SRH aims for playoffs despite 1 win in 4
  • Klaasen rates his batting form a 6/10
  • Explains not keeping wickets this season
  • Team treating remaining games as new series
2 min read

IPL 2026: SRH have got an incredible squad, unity to still make it to the playoffs, says Klaasen

SRH's Heinrich Klaasen believes his team has the squad and unity to reach the IPL 2026 playoffs, reflecting on his own form and wicket-keeping role.

"We've got an incredible squad and an incredible unity to still make it to the playoffs. - Heinrich Klaasen"

Hyderabad, April 13

Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Heinrich Klaasen believes the side still has the depth and unity to push for a playoffs spot in IPL 2026, despite a mixed start to their campaign. SRH, the IPL 2016 winners, return to their home ground after losing to Punjab Kings by six wickets in New Chandigarh

The Ishan Kishan-led side have only one win in four games. "It's not the perfect start that we wanted. I think we have one game away from where I think we would have been happy with. If you gave us one to two out of four, we would have been happy.

"But now we're playing a new 10-match series, basically. We're still aiming for that seven or eight wins. So life's a little bit harder, but we still can do it. We've got an incredible squad and an incredible unity to still make it to the playoffs," Klaasen said to broadcasters ahead of SRH hosting Rajasthan Royals.

Reflecting on his own batting form, Klaasen said, "Six out of ten. I would like to go a little bit quicker. Last game didn't go so well for me. I give up a couple of runs or a little bit. I struggled a little bit. But the first three games, I was pretty pleased with myself.

"I've missed out on one or two boundaries, maybe. But the way I've played and the way I've summed up the game so far, I'm quite happy and quite pleased. It's just about getting the last game out of my head," he added.

Klaasen also explained why he has not been keeping wickets this season. "No, last year Pat was just happy with me next to him, giving him some ideas. We quite liked how the local players listened to Ishan when he was keeping.

"So that was the strategy going in this season as well. Unfortunately, Pat is still injured and that's the only reason why I'm not keeping, but I think my keeping career is almost very done."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Unity is good, but we need results on the board. Losing close games is becoming a habit. Ishan Kishan needs to lead from the front with the bat. The next 3 home games are must-wins.
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Aman W
Respectfully, calling it a "new 10-match series" feels like spin. The points table doesn't reset. The loss to Punjab was very poor. We need less talk and more clinical finishing.
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Sarah B
As a neutral fan, SRH is always fun to watch because of players like Klaasen. That humility to rate himself 6/10 is class. Hope they turn it around, the IPL is better with a competitive Hyderabad.
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Vikram M
The real issue is team balance. We are playing one batter too many. Should drop an overseas batter and play a proper bowler like Umran Malik. Need wicket-taking options in the middle overs, yaar.
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Nisha Z
Love the positive mindset! It's a long tournament. Remember 2016, we had a slow start too and then went on to win it all! Faith in the team. #KeepCalmAndSupportSRH 💪

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