IPL 2024, SRH vs CSK Strategic Corner - CSK's Answer To Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen has been in brilliant form for SRH in IPL 2024 [iplt20.com]Heinrich Klaasen has been in brilliant form for SRH in IPL 2024 [iplt20.com]

The Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Chennai Super Kings are all set to face each other in the 11th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This game will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on 5th April at 7:30 PM IST. 

The last time the Sunrisers played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, they scored the highest team total in the history of IPL, 277. The wicket looked like a belter, and most SRH batters enjoyed the surface. If the surface behaves the same way, the CSK bowlers will have a tough time in the game. The biggest threat to the visiting team is the man in golden touch for SRH, Heinrich Klaasen. First, let us examine why Heinrich Klaasen will pose a significant threat to CSK. 


Why will Heinrich Klaasen be a threat to the Chennai Super Kings?

  • Heinrich Klaasen has been in fine form in IPL 2024. In three innings, Klaasen scored 167 runs at a strike rate of 219.74 and looks unstoppable. 
  • The South African middle-order batter has a brilliant record at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. In six innings, Klaasen has scored 334 runs at a strike rate of 197.63, with a century and a half-century. He enjoys batting here and will be all set to thrash the CSK bowlers at his happy hunting ground. 
  • CSK have always had the strategy of taking control of a game with their very efficient spinners. This is where Klaasen might take the game away from CSK, as he has an excellent record against spinners. In T20s, Klaasen has a strike rate of over 180 against spinners in 69 games. 


Plan against Heinrich Klaasen 

Klaasen is a naturally aggressive batter. His general intention is always to keep going and try to reach fifth gear. This has mostly benefited him but has also occasionally led to his downfall. 

In order to have a proper plan against such a destructive batter, we need to see what led to his dismissals in the previous season. 

Bowler Type
Dimisslas
Line
Dismissals
Length
Dismissals
Right Arm Leg Spinners2Outside Off Stump6Yorker1
Right Arm Medium Pace5Off Stump3
Full toss1
Right Arm Fast Medium2--Full length2
----Good Length5

Table - Dismissal Details of Heinrich Klaasen in IPL 2023 [OneCricket]

If we look at the dismissals of Heinrich Klaasen in IPL 2023, we get the idea that medium pacers have often dismissed him. Although he enjoys room on either side of the wicket, Klaasen usually falls prey to deliveries outside the off stump. 

Plan for pacers

Areas pacers can bowl vs Klaasen [OneCricket]Areas pacers can bowl vs Klaasen [OneCricket]

Reiterating the critical points of our plan for pacers, they should focus on bowling straight and just back of a length at Klaasen. The aim is to prevent him from getting off the blocks quickly. This could be followed with a tempting delivery outside the off stump, enticing him to play the release shot. The success of this plan relies on not allowing him to score freely. 

Plan for spinners

Area spinners can bowl against Klaasen [OneCricket]Area spinners can bowl against Klaasen [OneCricket]

In the case of spinners, Klaasen was dismissed by leg-spinners in IPL 2023. This shows that if the ball is spinning away from him, it could act in favour of the bowler. Jadeja would be the ideal candidate for CSK against Klaasen. He could work him up with his perfect line and length and then throw something outside of the off stump, inducing a false shot out of him.