KLAASEN TALKS UP SUNRISERS CHANCES FOR IPL FINAL

With the Indian Premier League season now just down to the Final, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen have the unique chance of doing the ‘double’ in Sunrisers’ colours in 2024.

They will, of course, not be the only Betway SA20-signed player in action when Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Kolkata Knight Riders at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday as Heinrich Klaasen has been a key lieutenant in the Orange Army’s march to the Final.

On the back of powering Durban’s Super Giants to the SA20 Final and winning the Betway Player of the Season and Batter of the Season awards, Klaasen has had his most productive IPL season of his career. With the bat, the 32-year-old has scored 463 runs, at an average of 42.09 and strike rate of 176.05, while he has claimed 10 dismissals with the wicketkeeping gloves. His influence was evident on Friday evening when his fourth 50 of the season, 50 off 34 balls, was the top score in Sunrisers’ 175/9, which Rajasthan Royals failed to overhaul.

“I’m very pleased for the boys, we’ve played some incredibly brave cricket [during the season]. Sometimes it didn’t come off, but the game repaid us and it was great to bounce back from our previous qualifier,” Klaasen said post-match.

“I’m very happy with my own performance today… weather-wise it was nice and hot but not too bad. It was about regrouping, getting my head clear and thinking about what I need to do next. It was nice and hot, it felt like I needed to jump in the swimming pool and then put my kit on… it was nice and sweaty.”

Markram, meanwhile, came in from the cold for Qualifier 2 having not played in almost a month. Despite only getting 1 with the bat, the Proteas white-ball captain took a smart catch in the outfield to dismiss Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson and bowled a crucial over of spin, which only went for 10 runs.

“[The spinners] were our fifth bowler and we had to squeeze one over of each [Shahbaz Ahmed and Abshishek Sharma], with Aiden as well, and they changed the game for us. For them going into the final, that will be a big plus,” said Klaasen.

“I’m very pleased for them because they’ve toiled hard all season with the ball and it didn’t always go their way but to do it on a big stage like [Qualifier 2] will mean a lot for them and it meant a lot to the team.”

Looking back at their clashes against KKR in 2024 doesn’t make pretty reading for Sunrisers, but Klaasen and co have at least had first go at the conditions which will be prevalent during the Final.

“Obviously they’ve beaten us twice… we didn’t play particularly well in the first qualifier but luckily we played well in Qualifier 2 and luckily we have some idea of the conditions so hopefully that will give us a little bit of advantage and we’ll look to definitely win the trophy.”