3 reasons why SRH releasing Heinrich Klaasen ahead of IPL 2026 Auction would be the right move

There have been reports that swashbuckling batter Heinrich Klaasen could be released by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. According to the Times of India, several franchises have included the former South African batter in their wishlists as speculation around SRH letting go of the 34-year-old continues to make the rounds.

The middle-order batter has played 49 IPL games, scoring 1,480 runs at an average of 40.00 and a strike rate of 169.72, including seven fifties and two centuries. Of these, 42 games have come for SRH over the last three seasons, where he has amassed 1,414 runs at an average of 44.19 and a strike rate of 173.50, with seven fifties and two centuries.

With reports of his potential release circulating, here are three reasons why SRH letting Heinrich Klaasen go ahead of the IPL 2026 auction could be the right move.

#1 Squad revamp with big budget flexibility

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) had retained Heinrich Klaasen for a massive sum of ₹23 crore. However, the team endured a disappointing season, finishing sixth with just 13 points.

The wicketkeeper-batter featured in 14 matches, scoring 487 runs at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 172.69, including one fifty and a century. Despite his efforts, SRH struggled to find consistent support in the middle order, while their bowling unit also failed to deliver when it mattered.

Releasing Klaasen would free up ₹23 crore in SRH’s purse, allowing the team to address their middle-order concerns by investing in multiple skilled batters and strengthening other key areas. Additionally, it would give Hyderabad the option to buy him back at a lower price during the auction, helping them manage their budget more effectively while securing other important players.

#2 Heinrich Klaasen’s form has been patchy since his international retirement

In a surprising move, Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from international cricket on June 2 this year, shortly after SunRisers Hyderabad’s early exit from IPL 2025. Following his retirement, he represented the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket (MLC), where he endured a disappointing campaign, scoring just 142 runs in 10 innings at a modest average of 15.77 and a strike rate of 136.53, with a top score of 48.

Klaasen then turned out for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred 2025, but his struggles continued. He managed only 151 runs in eight innings at an average of 25.16 and a strike rate of 112.68, registering a lone half-century.

Given his modest returns since retirement, his dip in form could be one of the key reasons why releasing him might turn out to be a wise move for SRH ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

#3 Wicketkeeping option already available in the form of Ishan Kishan

Another reason why releasing Heinrich Klaasen could be a smart move is the presence of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan in SRH’s squad. The southpaw was bought by the franchise for ₹11.25 crore during the 2025 mega auction.

Although Ishan didn’t have his best season, scoring 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58, including a fifty and a century, SRH are unlikely to part ways with him given his immense potential and value as an Indian wicketkeeper.

At just 27, Ishan can serve the franchise for years to come and potentially be part of the leadership group. His presence ensures SRH won’t face any wicketkeeping concerns even if Klaasen is released. Moreover, the team can look to secure an overseas backup such as Shai Hope, Tom Banton, or Josh Philippe at a much lower price than Klaasen, helping them maintain balance and financial flexibility.

Edited by Dev Sharma