Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been far from their expected self in IPL 2025, and as they continue to struggle with a misfiring top order, former cricketer Nick Knight has questioned the position of Heinrich Klaasen in their batting lineup. Despite Klaasen’s consistent performances, including a vital knock of 71 against Mumbai Indians (MI), Knight believes the South African should be promoted higher than his usual No. 5 or No. 6 slot.
Klaasen’s Consistency and Value for SRH
Klaasen has been the only bright spot for SRH in an otherwise disappointing season. With 281 runs at an average of 40.14 and a strike rate of 159.65, he has been their most dependable batter. In the match against MI, Klaasen walked out to bat with SRH in deep trouble at 13 for 3, and the situation worsened to 35 for 5 by the ninth over. Despite this, Klaasen, in partnership with Impact Player Abhinav Manohar, helped SRH recover with a 99-run stand.
Nick Knight emphasized that Klaasen’s batting position doesn’t allow him enough time to make an impact. “Get him out there at least after six overs, or even a tick over, and he’ll have the chance to show what he can really do,” said Knight. Klaasen’s remarkable consistency with scores in the 20s, 30s, and the 71 not out shows just how much he’s been carrying the team on his shoulders.
SRH’s Aggressive Approach Not Paying Off
Despite Klaasen’s brilliant efforts, SRH’s batting strategy has been unable to adapt to the challenging conditions this season. Coach Daniel Vettori admitted that the batting unit has struggled to adjust, but also stressed that their ultra-aggressive approach, particularly in the powerplay, is a key part of their philosophy. Players like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan are expected to maximize the powerplay and set a solid foundation.
However, Varun Aaron, another panelist on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, cautioned that SRH can’t afford to second-guess themselves at this point. “They have to stick to the approach that gave them results last year, even if it’s not working this year,” said Aaron. “Last year, players like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head had their best IPLs, and trying to replicate that success can be difficult.”
No Immediate Fix for SRH’s Woes
While Klaasen’s form provides hope, the rest of the SRH squad needs to step up. With the team languishing second from the bottom in the points table, there’s a real urgency for them to find consistency. SRH’s aggressive strategy is something that brought them success last year, but as the season progresses, they will need to adjust and rethink their batting approach to stay competitive.
As Knight rightly pointed out, Klaasen needs to bat higher in the order to make the most of his form, and SRH needs to consider more strategic changes if they are to turn their season around.
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