Klaasen's 65 fires SRH past MI; Pietersen urges SA to recall him for 2027 World Cup
Synopsis
Klaasen's 30-ball assault on MI's bowling wasn't just a match-winning innings — it was a statement. With SRH now on a five-game winning streak and Klaasen the season's most prolific finisher from position four onwards, Pietersen's call for his international recall ahead of the home 2027 World Cup suddenly looks less like commentary and more like prophecy.
Key Takeaways
Heinrich Klaasen scored 65 off 30 balls (seven fours, four sixes) in SRH's chase against MI on 30 April .
Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 244 , recording the fourth-highest run-chase in IPL history, winning with eight balls to spare.
Ryan Rickelton scored an unbeaten 123 off 55 balls (ten fours, eight sixes) for MI .
Kevin Pietersen called on the South African cricket board to recall Klaasen for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa .
SRH moved to third place on the points table after their fifth successive win of the season.
Heinrich Klaasen's explosive 65 off 30 balls powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on 30 April, prompting former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen to call on the South African cricket board to bring the 34-year-old batter back into international cricket ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The SRH batter's seven fours and four sixes anchored the chase of 244, with the franchise racing to victory with eight balls remaining.
How the match unfolded
Batting first, Mumbai Indians posted 243 for 5, built on the back of Ryan Rickelton's unbeaten 123 off 55 deliveries, which included ten fours and eight sixes. In response, SRH recorded the fourth-highest run-chase in IPL history, with Travis Head and Klaasen combining for blazing half-centuries to steer the chase home.
Klaasen's match-winning contribution
Arriving at the crease with the required run-rate manageable thanks to Head's aggressive start, Klaasen took the attack to the MI bowling attack, striking at nearly 217. His 30-ball knock came when SRH needed just under 100 runs off the final overs, allowing him to bat with freedom. The South African has been the season's highest run-scorer from batting position four onwards, cementing his role as a finisher in IPL 2024.
Pietersen's international call
Taking to social media, Pietersen argued that the South African cricket board should contact Klaasen immediately to explore his availability for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa. "There should be a phone call this morning from the South African cricket board to Heinrich Klaasen to ask him if he can rejoin international cricket and be a central figure in their campaign to try and win their first ever World Cup, which will be in South Africa next year," Pietersen wrote. The commentary highlighted Klaasen's proven match-winning ability under pressure in high-scoring encounters.
SRH's resurgence
The victory marked SRH's fifth successive win of the season, propelling them to third place on the points table. Klaasen, speaking after the match, credited his opening partners for setting up the chase. "It's nice to contribute to the team. It's a great win for us and hopefully we can repeat it at home. Like I said earlier, if they're going at 15, 16, it's going to make your life a little bit easier (on the openers). So when I got in, I think we needed just under 10s chasing 250, so that's an incredible job from them," he said.
What's next
With momentum on their side, SRH will look to maintain their winning streak in upcoming home fixtures. Meanwhile, Klaasen's standout IPL season continues to fuel debate around his international future, particularly as South Africa prepares its squad for the home World Cup in 2027.
Point of View
It's a trend. But the real question is whether South Africa's selectors will listen. International cricket has moved on from Klaasen since his last appearance; the 2027 World Cup window is closing fast. If the board does call, it will signal they've accepted that finishing prowess in T20 cricket translates to ODI value — a shift from the traditional mould.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Heinrich Klaasen's score in the SRH vs MI match?
Heinrich Klaasen scored 65 runs off just 30 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes. His innings was crucial in SRH's successful chase of 244, with the team winning with eight balls to spare.
Why did Kevin Pietersen call for Klaasen's international recall?
Pietersen argued that Klaasen's match-winning form in the IPL — particularly his explosive finishing ability — makes him a valuable asset for South Africa's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign, which will be hosted in South Africa. Pietersen suggested the South African cricket board should contact Klaasen to explore his availability.
What is Klaasen's record this IPL season?
Klaasen has been the highest run-scorer of the season from batting position four onwards, demonstrating his consistency as a finisher. His 65-run knock against MI further reinforced his form in high-pressure chases.
How did Mumbai Indians perform in the match?
Mumbai Indians posted 243 for 5, with Ryan Rickelton scoring an unbeaten 123 off 55 balls (ten fours, eight sixes). Despite the strong total, SRH chased it down with eight balls remaining, recording the fourth-highest run-chase in IPL history.
