Klaasen's reverse six off spinner 'incredible': Steyn on SRH batter's 65-run blitz vs MI
Synopsis
Dale Steyn's assessment cuts to the heart of Klaasen's outlier status: a middle-order batter outpacing openers in the Orange Cap race. His unbeaten 65 off 30, capped by a reverse six off a spinner, wasn't just aggression — it was controlled aggression, the kind that seals chases under pressure. For SRH, it's the fifth straight win. For the IPL, it's a reminder that Klaasen has become the tournament's most dangerous finisher.
Key Takeaways
Heinrich Klaasen scored an unbeaten 65 off 30 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium .
Klaasen remains in Orange Cap contention despite batting in the middle order, a rarity highlighted by Dale Steyn .
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head added 129 runs for the first wicket before Klaasen's acceleration sealed the chase.
SRH chased down MI's 243 for 5 for their fifth consecutive win of the season.
Steyn singled out Klaasen's reverse sweep six off a spinner as evidence of his hand-eye coordination and mental toughness under pressure.
Dale Steyn, the former South Africa fast bowler, has lauded Sunrisers Hyderabad middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen for his unbeaten 65 off 30 balls in SRH's chase against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, calling his shot-making and composure under pressure "exceptional." The knock, which included a reverse sweep six off a spinner, underscored Klaasen's ability to accelerate at will — a quality that has kept him in Orange Cap contention despite batting in the middle order.
The chase and Klaasen's role
After openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head laid a foundation with a 129-run first-wicket partnership, Klaasen and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10 balls) accelerated in the final overs to seal SRH's fourth-highest successful IPL chase. The victory marked Hyderabad's fifth consecutive win of the season, extending their dominance in the tournament.
Steyn's analysis: Control and skill
Speaking to JioStar, Steyn highlighted the rarity of Klaasen's performance. "The numbers are just insane because he's competing with the guys at the top of the order, the opening batters," Steyn said. "If you look at the opening batters from Sunrisers Hyderabad in particular, they get off to incredible starts and do the bulk of the run-scoring. He comes out later and yet he's still right up there as an Orange Cap contender. It's an exceptional effort by him."
The former pacer elaborated on what makes Klaasen's batting stand out. "Every time he comes out, he looks in total control. He looks steady, hits the ball down the ground nicely, and gets himself in. When he wants to pull the trigger, he's able to hit the ball anywhere," Steyn added. He specifically marvelled at a reverse sweep six off the spinner, describing it as evidence of Klaasen's "incredible hand-eye coordination, skill, and then obviously, the mental side to back his ability to do it under pressure."
SRH's chase amid pressure
The chase briefly faltered after a cluster of middle-order wickets, but Klaasen's composure ensured no further setbacks. His unbeaten finish exemplified why Hyderabad have built a reputation for chasing down high targets this season — a trait that has become central to their tournament campaign.
MI's 243 falls short
Mumbai Indians had posted a formidable 243 for 5, anchored by Ryan Rickelton's century, on what proved to be a high-scoring night. However, the total was insufficient against SRH's aggressive batting lineup and Klaasen's finishing prowess, handing Mumbai a defeat at home.
Point of View
But because he controls the pace of an innings in ways that defy conventional cricket logic. A middle-order batter competing for the Orange Cap is a statistical anomaly. That he does so while maintaining composure in high-pressure chases suggests a skill tier above his peers. Steyn's focus on the reverse sweep six is telling: it's not recklessness, it's calculated risk-taking backed by world-class execution.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Heinrich Klaasen's score in the SRH vs MI match?
Klaasen scored an unbeaten 65 off 30 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, helping SRH chase down MI's total of 243 for 5.
Why did Dale Steyn single out Klaasen's reverse sweep six?
Steyn highlighted the reverse sweep six off a spinner as an example of Klaasen's extraordinary hand-eye coordination and mental toughness. He described it as evidence of Klaasen's ability to execute high-risk shots under pressure with precision and control.
How did Klaasen's Orange Cap position stand out according to Steyn?
Steyn noted that Klaasen remains an Orange Cap contender despite batting in the middle order — a rarity, since opening batters typically accumulate the most runs. Klaasen's ability to compete with openers in the run-scoring race while coming in later in the innings is what makes his effort exceptional.
What was the significance of SRH's win?
The victory was SRH's fifth consecutive win of the season, marking their fourth-highest successful chase in IPL history. The win underscored Hyderabad's strength in chasing high totals, a trait central to their tournament campaign.
