Heinrich Klaasen Century : Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) brought the league stage of IPL 2024 to a thrilling close with a record-shattering batting display, piling up a colossal 278 for 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. It was a night of fireworks, and leading the charge were Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head, who together left the KKR bowling attack gasping for air.
It was Heinrich Klaasen’s night to remember, as the South African powerhouse hammered an unbeaten 105 off just 39 balls — his century coming in a jaw-dropping 37 deliveries. Promoted up the order following the dismissal of Abhishek Sharma, Klaasen unleashed a brutal assault on every bowler that dared to stand in his way. His knock featured 7 fours and 9 towering sixes, many of which sailed into the second tier, sending the Delhi crowd into a frenzy.
Earlier, Travis Head rediscovered his early-season magic just when it mattered most. Known for his explosive starts, Head shrugged off a lean patch to craft a blistering 76 off 40 balls. His innings, peppered with 6 sixes and 6 boundaries, set the stage for the carnage to follow. Head, along with Abhishek Sharma (32 off 16), tore into KKR during the Powerplay, adding 79 runs in just six overs — a statement of intent from the very beginning.
The Kotla pitch, known for being a paradise for batters, lived up to its reputation. With minimal movement and even bounce, it was a dream surface for anyone with a bat in hand. SRH’s approach was simple yet devastating — see the ball, hit the ball. And hit it they did, all over the ground.
The KKR bowlers were left chasing shadows. Anrich Nortje (0/60 in 4 overs), Harshit Rana (0/40 in 3), Varun Chakravarthy (0/54 in 3), and even the usually reliable Sunil Narine (2/42 in 4) had no answers to the SRH juggernaut. Klaasen, in particular, made Nortje’s express pace look ordinary, while Head and Abhishek danced down the track to dispatch deliveries over extra cover and mid-wicket with astonishing ease.
It’s worth noting that SRH began their IPL 2024 campaign in a similar fashion, putting up a then-record 286 against Rajasthan Royals. Tonight’s performance was a reminder of their destructive potential, just in time for the playoffs.
For KKR, it was yet another game that exposed the frailties in their bowling unit — an area that has been a concern throughout the tournament. Whether home or away, consistency with the ball has eluded them, and today’s demolition job at the hands of SRH only amplified that weakness.
As the league stage concludes, SRH have sent a loud and clear message to their playoff rivals: underestimate their batting firepower at your own risk. With Klaasen and Head firing on all cylinders, and Abhishek Sharma providing blistering starts, the Orange Army looks more dangerous than ever.
Score Summary:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 278/3 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 105, Travis Head 76, Abhishek Sharma 32; Sunil Narine 2/42)*