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Klaasen Unfazed by Poor CSK Record Ahead of IPL Rivalry Week Clash

Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Heinrich Klaasen remains unconcerned about his historically poor performance against Chennai Super Kings ahead of their upcoming IPL clash. He attributes his low scores to the challenging conditions in Chennai and the need to take risks against their spinners, which haven't yet succeeded. Klaasen noted the absence of Ravindra Jadeja this season makes CSK a different team. The wicketkeeper-batter is in excellent form this year, being SRH's top run-scorer so far.

Key Points: SRH's Klaasen Not Worried About Poor Record vs CSK

  • Klaasen averages only 15.25 vs CSK
  • Credits Chennai's tricky 'Jadeja wicket'
  • Says taking risks vs spinners hasn't paid off
  • In strong form this season with 145 runs
2 min read

IPL: SRH's Klaasen says he is "not worried" about poor record against CSK

SRH's Heinrich Klaasen addresses his poor batting stats against CSK ahead of their IPL Rivalry Week match, focusing on current form.

"I am not too worried about it. It is just about for me finding form. - Heinrich Klaasen"

New Delhi, April 9

Ahead of his side's massively anticipated derby against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen said that he is not worried about his poor record against Men in Yellow, and it's just that his risk-taking against their spinners has not paid off for him.

CSK will take on SRH on April 18 as a part of the competition's 'Rivalry Week', which will kickstart from April 12 onwards. However, the former South African batter has failed to fire against CSK, scoring just 61 runs across five innings at an average of 15.25 and a best score of just 20. His strike rate has also been sluggish, 96.82 against CSK.

At Hyderabad, where the first of their two meeting this season will be held, Klaasen has scored 10* in his one inning. While at CSK's iconic home venue of Chepauk, he has managed just 44 runs in three innings.

Answering ANI's query at the 'JioStar Press Room' ahead of the 'Rivalry Week', Klaasen said that Chennai is not the easiest place to play cricket for batters.

"Playing at Chennai is probably not the easiest place to play cricket, especially if you have, I call it normally the 'Jadeja wicket', where you can bowl at 100 kilometres an hour and the ball spin or just holds a little bit. Luckily, he is not there this season (traded to Rajasthan Royals), so it is a completely different team," he said.

Klaasen said that for him, it is about hitting the ball a little longer and clearing the boundary.

"It is also about giving myself enough of an opportunity to make a bigger impact. It is sometimes a team that presents a lot of spinners, especially in the conditions that they play in, you have to take that risk and it has not paid off yet. So I am not too worried about it. It is just about for me finding form. And when I do get form, it is just to cherish it and make sure that I keep holding on it," he added.

Klaasen definitely has no reason to worry this season as he has started the campaign with 145 runs in the first three matches at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 147.95, including two fifties and a best score of 62. He is SRH's highest run-getter so far and overall third-highest.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
He's right about the 'Jadeja wicket' at Chepauk. That pitch can be a nightmare for batters. But with Jadeja gone, the dynamics have changed. Still, CSK at home is always a challenge. Let's see if he can walk the talk.
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Rahul R
Respectfully, I think he should be a *little* worried. CSK's spin attack is still strong with Theekshana and others. Stats don't lie, but I hope he proves me wrong! SRH needs him to perform in these big matches.
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Sarah B
As a neutral fan, I love this confidence! IPL is all about current momentum. His strike rate this season is fantastic. If he gets going, it will be a treat to watch against Dhoni's captaincy.
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Aman W
Typical cricketer talk, yaar. "Not worried" is what they all say. But the real test is on the field. Chepauk crowd will be roaring. Hope he handles the pressure better this time. #WhistlePodu
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Kriti O
His point about taking risks against spinners is valid. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. But with the form he's in, I have a feeling this might be his year against CSK. Orange Army, let's go! 🧡

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