![Heinrich Klaasen calls out SRH teammates [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775556154855_HeinrichKlaasen.jpg?type=hq)
Heinrich Klaasen calls out SRH teammates [Source: AP]
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered a narrow defeat against LSG this past weekend in Hyderabad. The outcome marked their second loss in three matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Despite boasting a formidable batting line-up, featuring the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen among others, the ‘Orange Army’ seems to be struggling to get its act together ever since reaching the final of the 2024 edition a couple of years ago. SRH’s recent struggles can be attributed to their bowlers, as the franchise continues to miss the services of its injured captain Pat Cummins.
Hard-hitting South African batter Heinrich Klaasen recently called out the team’s collective struggles as the franchise prepares for its next IPL 2026 fixture.
Heinrich Klaasen rues injury absence of Pat Cummins
While speaking on the JioStar Press Room, Heinrich Klaasen said that while the bowlers have struggled to defend totals, SRH’s batting line-up has also fallen short in posting desired targets off late.
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The hard-hitting South African wicketkeeper-batter also lamented the injury absence of regular captain and legendary Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins. He said “I think we have messed up about 40 runs over the last three games, so there is still a lot of work for our batters to do. Obviously, if you miss a player like Pat Cummins in any team or any format, that is a big loss.”
Klaasen calls out teammates for defeats
Heinrich Klaasen also called out his teammates after the franchise suffered its second defeat in three matches of the IPL 2026 season. Taking a dig at batters after SRH posted just 156-9 in 20 overs against the LSG, the cricketer said that the team did not execute its plan with the bat.
He said “The rest of the group is super experienced, especially our pace department. The wickets have been good in the two games where we struggled, we simply did not execute with the bat like we wanted to.”
However, the 34-year-old also took an indirect dig at the bowlers, considering the team failed to defend a 200-plus total in the opening match of the IPL 2026 season against the RCB,
Heinrich Klaasen added “It is easy to say our bowlers lack experience or are under the pump, but in the two games we lost, the batters left about 20 to 30 runs on the board. When we played KKR, we put enough runs on the board and that is our job. We need to reach that 220 or 230 mark, as that is why we set up the team the way we did, to give our bowlers a proper chance of defending.”
Pat Cummins to join SRH later this month
Compatible to Klaasen’s earlier claims, the franchise really seems to be missing regular captain Pat Cummins. A few days ago, the legendary fast bowler left the team to take a return flight to Australia.
The senior speedster is expected to undergo a final scan back home, and will be subjected to fitness clearance from Cricket Australia (CA). If he receives the board’s approval, the World Cup winning Australian captain will likely re-join SRH and make his return to the playing XI at some point this month.
SRH to face Punjab Kings
Currently placed out of playoffs contention on the IPL 2026 points table, the SRH franchise will now go up against table toppers Punjab Kings in match number 17 of the tournament. The match will be hosted by the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, April 11 later this week.
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