'Best overseas player this IPL' - Twitter bows down to Heinrich Klaasen after trailblazing century

Klaasen's 49-ball century propelled the home side to a competitive total against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad.

Published - 18 May 2023, 21:17 IST | Updated - 23 Apr 2024, 09:05 IST

11 Min Read

Sunrisers Hyderabad, playing for their pride in front of their home crowd, made a terrific start to the contest against Royal Challengers Bangalore, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's marauding knock. The South African wicketkeeper-batter continued his purple patch in IPL 2023, registering a majestic ton, his first in the competition.

The Orange Army got off to sedated start after their sixth different opening combination of the season, Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi, negated the RCB pacers valiantly. However, both batters fell prey to RCB's star Kiwi all-rounder Michael Bracewell in the fifth over of the powerplay.

Heinrich Klaasen, who was promoted up the batting order, finally, hit the ground running instantly, dispatching Shahbaz Ahmed for three boundaries in his first over of the match. While his national skipper, Aiden Markram, took a cautious approach in the middle, Klaasen piled the pressure on the bowlers with his aggressive strokeplay.

The middle-order star, who is renowned for his remarkable ability to play spin bowling, lived up to his reputation after breaching the 50-run mark in just 24 deliveries. While Markram's funky attempt ended the duo's 76-run stand for the third wicket, the dasher from Pretoria continued his assault on the RCB bowlers to register his highest total in IPL.

Klaasen roars in delight after a magnificent batting display

Although he did not spare any bowler during his sensational power-hitting display, he took a liking to left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed, dispatching the Indian spinner for two consecutive sixes in the 17th over. Under-fire English superstar Harry Brook provided valiant support from the other end, showing glimpses of his much-talked-about talent.

However, the Proteas star wasn't to be upended on the day as he smashed a towering six off Harshal Patel's bowling in the penultimate over of the innings to register a glorious maiden IPL century, becoming the second SRH batter to breach the three-figure mark this season. He roared in delight after reaching the landmark before hugging Harry Brook, the other centurion for SRH in IPL 2023.

IndianPremierLeague

@IPL

Did You Watch ? A maximum to bring up the 💯 Heinrich Klaasen scored a brilliant 104 off 51 deliveries. Live - bit.ly/TATAIPL-2023-65 #TATAIPL #SRHvRCB #IPL2023 twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

09:04 PM · May 18, 2023

541

Yusuf Pathan

@iamyusufpathan

Unbelievable hitting by #HeinrichKlaasen at a strike rate of 204, clearly the #SRH's best batter this tournament. #RCB have a big task to do in the second innings. #IPL2023 #SRHvRCB

09:02 PM · May 18, 2023

AB de Villiers

@ABdeVilliers17

Heinrich Klaassen is a super special player! One of the best players of spin I’ve ever seen.

08:43 PM · May 18, 2023

9.2K

1.1K

Shai Hope@shaidhope

Special knock Klaasen! 👏

08:58 PM · May 18, 2023

S.Badrinath

@s_badrinath

Best overseas player this IPL season #HeinrichKlaasen

08:58 PM · May 18, 2023

280

Lisa Sthalekar@sthalekar93

He has been class ever since he has come into the IPL. What a 🌟 Klassen 💯 #SRHvsRCB

08:58 PM · May 18, 2023

Sachin Tendulkar

@sachin_rt

IPL is a mix of creative and traditional batting. Today has been a Klaas-ic display of traditional batting. Klaasen’s footwork has been simple and uncomplicated, one of the best I’ve seen in the recent past. Treat to watch! #SRHvRCB #IPL2023