Former Proteas international Heinrich Klaasen, who has been SRH’s leading run-scorer in the last three seasons, could be released by Sunrisers Hyderabad this time, and two teams have been revealed to go after the wicketkeeper if he joins the auction.
With the IPL trade window and its proceedings in full swing, the last date for the retention announcement is fast approaching. Each team has to decide on their pool of potential players that they want to retain for the next season.
The retention list will be announced in November, and many teams will also have to increase their purse, as a mini-auction awaits them in December. Cameron Green has been heavily publicized as the most lucrative player deal in the mini-auction.
Two teams ready to bid if Heinrich Klaasen lands in IPL mini-auction
There is a constant discussion that Sunrisers Hyderabad, which could not qualify for the IPL knockout last time, is looking to make some changes in its team. But the surprising thing is that they are thinking of parting ways with explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen.
Orotes power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen was retained for a whopping Rs 23 crore, which is more than captain Pat Cummins’s Rs 18 crore. However, despite being his most consistent scorer in the last three seasons from 2023-25, the decision to release him seems controversial.
According to a report by RevSportz journalist Rohit Juglan, even before Heinrich Klaasen’s release was confirmed, teams like Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have shown interest in bidding for Protea wicketkeeper, Heinrich Klaasen. A complete middle-order batsman and a powerful white-ball striker will be an asset to any team.
SRH is also in talks regarding the release of Ishan Kishan
Sunrisers Hyderabad showed keen interest in acquiring the services of Indian left-handed wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan as they included him for a huge price in the mega-auction. Ishan, who started the season with his maiden IPL century, could not continue his stellar form and lost form midway through the tournament, only to show some glimpse of revival during the second phase of IPL 2025.
Kishan was able to score 354 runs in 14 innings at an average of 29 and a strike rate of over 150, which is the highest in his career so far. Possibly, his former franchise, Mumbai Indians has once again shown interest in bringing him back as they too needed a good opening partner at the top for Rohit Sharma.
Under these conditions, if both these players, Ishan and Heinrich Klaasen, are released, SRH will have to pick a new wicketkeeper in the upcoming mini-auction or in trades before the IPL.
SRH preparing to bid for Cameron Green?
There was also speculation about Sunrisers Hyderabad releasing Indian veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami after his poor performance last season. It appears that Sunrisers are releasing many of their big-budget players, raising the question whether this is to increase their purse amount.
Cameron Green, who has re-joined the IPL race, will feature in the mini-auction and is expected to fetch big bids. Sunrisers could be aiming to bring in the Australian all-rounder, especially if the Australian players have performed well for them.
Green may be sent to the middle order as Nitish Reddy lacks the batting skills in the middle order and the entire responsibility rests on the shoulders of Heinrich Klaasen.
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