New Delhi: Whispers are circulating that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) could be planning to release their dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, Heinrich Klaasen, ahead of the next IPL mini-auction. Klaasen was retained for a substantial ₹23 crore before the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season. While the SRH camp has kept a tight lid on their plans, multiple IPL franchises are reportedly abuzz with this possibility and have already added the former South African international to their wishlists.
The 34-year-old Klaasen recently announced his retirement from international cricket. Despite smashing an impressive 105 runs off just 39 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in SRH’s final game of the 2025 IPL season, his overall performance lacked consistent big scores, often being limited to quick cameos. His ₹23 crore retention, which was even higher than skipper Pat Cummins’ ₹18 crore, was seen as an ambitious gamble. Releasing him could significantly boost SRH’s auction purse, though it wouldn’t be surprising if they still bid aggressively to re-acquire him at a more favorable price.
Heinrich Klaasen celebrating his century during an IPL 2025 match for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
This strategic move would provide SRH with considerable funds to effectively rebuild their squad, especially after finishing sixth in the 2025 IPL season, a year after their strong runner-up finish in 2024. The SRH think tank is reportedly deep in discussions, keen to turn things around for the upcoming season.
An industry source tracking the developments commented, “There are strong murmurs, and it could indeed be a smart move by SRH. Going into the auction with an additional ₹23 crore allows them a reasonable shot to fill crucial gaps – building a penetrating bowling attack and getting their middle-order right. They could even have a fair shot at getting the South African back for around ₹15 crore, with the remaining balance enabling them to do some effective shopping.”
Other significant buys for SRH, Mohammed Shami (₹10 crore) and Harshal Patel (₹8 crore), also had seasons that fell short of expectations. Shami battled fitness issues, while Patel, despite taking 16 wickets from 13 games, proved expensive, conceding nearly 10 runs an over. While Shami has recently impressed in domestic cricket, franchises are expected to approach him cautiously, a strategy SRH might also consider.
The Hyderabad-based franchise is also eager to acquire a quality spinner, as they were reportedly unsatisfied with Rahul Chahar. The leggie played only one game, and it’s understood he had underwhelming performances in intra-squad matches, leading the think tank to opt for lesser-known players like Zeeshan Ansari in 10 games and then left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey.
Despite the strong possibility of his release, Klaasen remains a key talking point, and multiple franchises are reportedly preparing a decent amount to bid for the aggressive right-hander once the retained player list is finalized.