Heinrich Klaasen And? SRH Players Who Could Be Massive Threats To CSK

Debashis Sarangi

Heinrich Klaasen is in superb touch [Source: AP]Heinrich Klaasen is in superb touch [Source: AP]

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 43rd group-stage clash of the IPL 2025. Both teams have yet to make their mark in the tournament, having lost six games each out of their first eight fixtures. 

Meanwhile, as CSK gear up for a riveting contest with the 2016-edition champions, three SRH players seem to emerge as their biggest headaches, as mentioned below. 

1. Heinrich Klaasen

Why could Heinrich Klaasen be a threat to CSK?

  • Recent form: SRH's destructive middle order batter Heinrich Klaasen recently regained his form, amassing a quick-fire fifty against Mumbai Indians. After the Sunrisers lost five wickets inside nine overs, Klaasen powered them to a respectable score of 143 runs. In his last three IPL 2025 outings, Klaasen has struck 129 runs at a superb strike rate of 150. 
  • Spin-hitting ability and record vs Noor Ahmad: Heinrich Klaasen is regarded as one of the finest hitters of spin in modern-day game. He averages 112 while striking at a rate of 149.3 against spinners in IPL 2025. Furthermore, Klaasen has an incredible record versus CSK's premier spinner Noor Ahmad, slamming 44 runs off just 17 deliveries. 

2. Abhishek Sharma

Why could Abhishek Sharma be a threat to CSK?

  • Fearless batting approach: Abhishek Sharma is one of the most fearsome strikers of the leather. If CSK bowlers don't get him out early, the southpaw can score truckloads of runs against the hard new ball, giving SRH a much-needed advantage early in the game. 
  • No hit-the-deck seamer in CSK: Abhishek Sharma finds it tricky to face hit-the-deck bowlers at times. For instance, he was troubled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the Bangladesh T20Is, while Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Siraj got rid of him earlier in the IPL. However, CSK lack such bowlers who use their shoulders effectively to beat the batters with deceptive pace. Even their best bet, Matheesha Pathirana, hasn't been convincing with the ball in the tournament. Thus, if he gets a brisk start, Abhishek can be CSK's nightmare in tonight's clash. 

3. Pat Cummins

Why could Pat Cummins be a threat to CSK?

  • Immaculate line and length vs a vulnerable top-order: Pat Cummins is one of the finest Test bowlers. He generally challenges the batter's technique with sheer pace and seam movement. If he gets a hint of assistance off the Chepauk deck, Cummins can make CSK's fragile top-order, comprising the out-of-form Rachin Ravindra and the inexperienced Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre, dance to his tunes. 
  • Hit-the-deck bowling and application of cutters: When the ball gets older, Cummins hurries the batters by hitting the deck consistently. He can also wisely vary his pace and outfox CSK's middle order batters with his cutters and slow balls on Chepauk's sluggish deck, where run-scoring hasn't been as easy as the other IPL 2025 venues.