In a season where most Sunrisers Hyderabad batters have struggled, Heinrich Klaasen carried his rich vein of form to score a spectacular 104 off 51 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday, to register his second T20 century.
After Sunrisers Hyderabad were reduced to 28/2 in 4.3 overs, he stitched a 76-run partnership with Aiden Markram and a 74-run stand with Harry Brook to help SRH bounce back to eventually post a competitive 186/5.
In an attacking display against spin, the South African hit eight fours and six sixes. Infact, even to reach the milestone on his 49th delivery, he lofted a straight six straight down the ground. Following his century, there was a fiery roar for the celebration. He was only dismissed by Harshal Patel in the penultimate over.
Klaasen’s ton was the second by a SRH batter this season.
Centuries in IPL 2023
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | For | Against | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook | 100 | 55 | 12 | 3 | 181.81 | SRH | v KKR | Eden Gardens | 14 Apr 2023 |
| V Iyer | 104 | 51 | 6 | 9 | 203.92 | KKR | v MI | Wankhede | 16 Apr 2023 |
| Jaiswal | 124 | 62 | 16 | 8 | 200.00 | RR | v MI | Wankhede | 30 Apr 2023 |
| Suryakumar | 103 | 49 | 11 | 6 | 210.20 | MI | v GT | Wankhede | 12 May 2023 |
| Prabhsimran | 103 | 65 | 10 | 6 | 158.46 | PBKS | v DC | Delhi | 13 May 2023 |
| Gill | 101 | 58 | 13 | 1 | 174.13 | GT | v SRH | Ahmedabad | 15 May 2023 |
| Klaasen | 104 | 51 | 8 | 6 | 203.92 | SRH | v RCB | Hyderabad | 18 May 2023 |
Here’s a look at the reactions to the century:
Heinrich Klaassen is a super special player! One of the best players of spin I’ve ever seen.
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 18, 2023
Klaasen Classic.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 18, 2023
What an innings from Henrich Klaasen.
Spectacular against spin and one of the better IPL hundreds.
Should be a good game. #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/Dlr0XFT8tv
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.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 18, 2023
Treat to watch!#SRHvRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/mUVRTRxsYh
He has been class ever since he has come into the IPL. What a 🌟 Klassen 💯 #SRHvsRCB
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 18, 2023
#IPL2023
— The Field (@thefield_in) May 18, 2023
A Klaasy 1️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ off 49 for Heinrich Klaasen 🔥
His hitting versus spin has been delightful to watch today. What a knock! https://t.co/TTn7lyYsth pic.twitter.com/B7cmhoAmXe
Exhilarating century by Klaasen. Arguably the best innings this season. RCB wilting under his assault
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 18, 2023
#IPL2023
— The Field (@thefield_in) May 18, 2023
What a knock, what a celebration from Heinrich Klaasen 🔥
📹 IPLpic.twitter.com/plWOCpbZuo
A decade more, and Heinrich Klaasen will be hailed as an IPL legend. He's such a complete player! #SRHvLSG
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) May 13, 2023
Probably the best and most beautiful hitter of the ball for SRH this season. Klaasen is a class apart. 💥😍 #SRHvsRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/MNwqBMOLwY
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) May 18, 2023
What a marvelous T20 innings from Klassen. No "playing according to situation" waffle, no stopping at any point, no slowing down. Just pure hitting. Great conception, great execution.
— Himanish Ganjoo (@hganjoo_153) May 18, 2023
RvD + Markram + Miller + Klaasen will bury a few teams this ODI World Cup.
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) May 18, 2023
Klaasy Klaasy knock by Heinrich! 💯👏 #IPL2023
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) May 18, 2023
Heinrich, a Klass apart than every other SRH batter this IPL.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) May 18, 2023
What an outstanding ton from him!
Absolute class from Heinrich Klaasen! Maiden IPL century for him and he showed excellent control with the bat tonight as his straight strokes indicated. A masterful knock where he batted in his own league! 💯#SRHvsRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/C8hCiI8vyo
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 18, 2023
Heinrich Klaasen is the 47th batter
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 18, 2023
to register #IPL's 82nd century..
Grounds with most #IPL 100s
13 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
11 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
8* at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad
7 at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali #IPL2023 #SRHvsRCB#RCBvSRH
104 - This (104) is Heinrich Klaasen's first ton in the @IPL and only his second in T20 cricket which is also the identical score he managed in this game (104* for Durban Super Giant vs Pretoria Capitals in 2023 SA20). Form.#SRHvRCB #TATAIPL #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/ZVVxmwjWEO
— OptaJeev (@OptaJeev) May 18, 2023