Sunrisers Hyderabad to part ways with Heinrich Klaasen ahead of IPL 2026 auction- Reports

Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Heinrich Klaasen for Rs. 23 crore ahead of IPL 2025.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are likely to release wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen from their squad ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, as per reports in Times of India. The move will help SRH to increase their purse in IPL 2026 auction, which is scheduled to take place later this year.

Interestingly, Klaasen was retained by SRH for a whopping amount of Rs. 23 crore ahead of IPL 2025. He was the costliest retention for the franchise, costing more than captain Pat Cummins at Rs. 18 crore. The reports suggest that SRH are planning to release him ahead of IPL 2026 auction and then aggressively bid for him later.

Klassen, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, was the most successful batter for the Pat Cummins-led side in IPL 2025. At an average of 44.27 and a stunning strike rate of 172.69, he hammered 487 runs in 13 games, including one century and one half-century.

SRH to release Heinrich Klaasen ahead of IPL 2026 auction- Reports

According to TOI, a source was quoted as saying that SRH might release Klaasen and later bid for him during the IPL 2026 auction, which would be a very smart move.

“There are strong murmurs and it could well be a smart move by SRH if they do that. Going into the auction with Rs 23 crore more allows them a reasonable shot to fill in the crucial gaps – assemble a penetrating bowling attack and get their middle-order act right. They can even have a fair shot at getting the South African back (for) around Rs 15 crore and the balance can help them do some effective shopping,” a source was quoted as saying by TOI.

Other than Klaasen, Cummins (Rs. 18 crore), Travis Head (Rs. 14 crore), Abhishek Sharma (Rs. 14 crore), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (Rs. 6 crore) were retained by SRH ahead of IPL 2025. Cummins has been commendable with his captaincy, leading the team to the final in the 2024 edition. Moreover, Head and Sharma form the core of SRH’s batting. Hence, they are unlikely to risk releasing them ahead of the auction.

The other two big buys for SRH were Mohammed Shami (Rs. 10 crore) and Harshal Patel (Rs. 8 crore). Shami has been in the spotlight following his recent exploits in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Patel finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the side in IPL 2025 with 16 scalps, however, he was quite expensive at an economy rate of 9.80.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.