3 reasons why SRH must not release Heinrich Klaasen ahead of IPL 2026 Auction

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) is likely to part ways with wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the 2026 retentions. According to the Times of India, several other franchises have included the swashbuckling batter in their wish list for the upcoming auction.

Notably, the Hyderabad-based franchise had retained the Proteas wicketkeeper for ₹23 crore ahead of the 2025 auction. It was higher than skipper Pat Cummins, who was retained for ₹18 crore.

Despite having Klaasen in their ranks, the SunRisers finished sixth in the IPL 2025 points table, managing six wins in 14 matches. Notably, the middle-order batter failed to score consistently, managing just one century and a fifty last season. Having said that, SRH are keen to re-buy him back at the auction, the report added.

The report has surfaced after Klaasen had a below-par outing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) and The Hundred, scoring 142 (in 10 innings) and 151 (in eight innings), respectively. It’s worth noting that he bid adieu to international cricket in June 2025.

In this article, we will share three reasons why the 2016 champions should retain Klassen in the first place.

Consistent run-scorer over the last 3 seasons

Heinrich Klaasen has been one of the most consistent run-scorers in IPL over the last three seasons. The 34-year-old has amassed 448, 479, and 487 runs in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons, respectively. Overall, he has scored 1,414 runs in 39 innings at a strike rate of 173.50, including two centuries and seven 50s.

In 2025, he averaged 44.27 and played at a strike rate of 172.69. With a consistent average of around 40 and a strike rate of 170-plus, Klaasen remains a standout player for the franchise. Only Abhishek Sharma (439 runs) was the other SRH player to amass over 400 runs in the 2025 season.

With 1,414 runs, Klassen is also among the fifth-highest run-getters for SRH in the franchise's history, only behind Abhishek (1753 in 71 innings) among active players.

Lack of quality overseas wicketkeepers in the upcoming auction

There is a lack of quality all-rounders in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. Big names like Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans), Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Phil Salt (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings), and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders) are likely to be retained by the respective IPL franchises.

Unsold keepers from 2025, including Shai Hope, Alex Carey, and Sam Billings, might go under the hammer again for the 2026 auction, but the trio lacks a good track record in the IPL.

Jonny Bairstow, picked by MI as a replacement player ahead of the 2025 knockout matches, might be one of the big names in the upcoming mini auction. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 38 (24) and 47 (22) in his two outings last season.

Thus, SRH might have to pay the price if they release Klaasen among the wicketkeepers.

Middle order woes

SRH are heavily reliant on Heinrich Klaasen in the middle order. While he scored 487 runs in the 2025 season, no other middle-order players could even touch 250. Nitish Reddy managed 182 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 118.95, failing to score a half-century. Abhinav Manohar managed 61 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 100, while Kamindu Mendis scored 92 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 133.33.

With 236 runs in 12 innings, only Aniket Verma looked impressive in the middle order. He played at a strike rate of 166.20 with the help of a half-century.

If SRH lets go of Klassen, they will have to go all out for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green at the auction. They, however, have to cover up for Klaasen among the wicketkeepers in their squad.

Edited by James Kuanal