Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wicketkeeper-batter Heinricjh Klaasen single-handedly powered SRH to a respectable 186-5 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Hyderabad on Thursday.
Klaasen took to the pitch with SRH reeling at 28-2. Despite that, he took the attack to the bowlers and brought up his fifty in just 24 deliveries.
Klaasen was partnered by captain Aiden Markarm, and the pair put on a 76-run partnership. Markram struggled during his stay at the crease, scoring only 18 runs from 20 balls, but Klaasen was in a zone of his own.
Harry Brook joined Klaasen and scored a handy 27 runs off 19 balls.
Klaasen continued batting the way he had, notching up his maiden hundred off just 49 balls with a six straight over bowler Harshal Patel's head.
Harshal dismissed Klaasen of the penultimate delivery of the 19th over, with the batter having registered 104 runs off 51 balls.
Klaasen's performance received praise from India's master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who tweeted, "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".
