Heinrich Klaasen stuns fans with sudden international retirement

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Ranchi, June 2: South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen has called time on his international cricket career at 34, stepping away from the game after making his mark primarily in white-ball formats.

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,” Klaasen posted on social media.

His retirement, which comes closely on the heels of Glenn Maxwell’s ODI exit, surprised many, though Klaasen said it was a well-considered decision.

Also Read- Glenn Maxwell calls time on ODI career

Klaasen recently showcased his explosive batting in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad and now departs the international stage after earning 4 Test caps, 60 ODI appearances, and 58 T20Is for the Proteas.

Heinrich Klaasen concluded his international cricket journey with a career built largely on his white-ball prowess.

In ODIs, where he made the most impact, Klaasen played 60 matches from 2018 onwards, scoring 2,141 runs at an impressive average of 43.7 and a blistering strike rate of 117. He notched up 4 centuries and 11 half-centuries, with a highest score of 174.

In T20Is, he featured in 58 matches, amassing 1,000 runs at a strike rate of 141.8 and an average of 23.2. Though he didn’t score a century in T20Is, he registered five fifties, with a top score of 81.

Klaasen’s involvement in Test cricket was brief, with just 4 matches between 2019 and 2023, where he scored 104 runs at an average of 13. His red-ball career included no half-centuries or centuries.

Overall, Klaasen leaves behind a legacy of aggressive middle-order batting, particularly in limited-overs cricket, where he was known for his power-hitting and high-impact knocks.