Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their impressive run in the Indian Premier League 2026 season with a commanding 33-run victory over Punjab Kings, moving to the top of the points table.
Speaking on JioStar’s Amul Cricket Live, former India cricketer and analyst Saba Karim credited Heinrich Klaasen for not only delivering with the bat but also mentoring younger players within the SRH setup.
Karim said Klaasen’s confidence and clarity at the crease have had a strong influence on the dressing room environment. He noted that despite an early dismissal in the previous game, the South African batter demonstrated the preparation and technical work he has put in against spin bowling.
According to Karim, Klaasen’s ability to read length early, play comfortably off the back foot and generate power makes him a crucial middle-order presence for Hyderabad. Batting at No. 4, he has embraced the responsibility of anchoring the innings while also guiding emerging talents such as Nitish and Salil.
“He has also played a key role in guiding younger players like Nitish and Salil, giving them confidence and clarity. He has fulfilled his role for SRH exceptionally well,” Karim said while speaking on JioStar.
Karim also addressed the struggles currently facing Punjab Kings, saying the team has entered a difficult phase after a strong start to the tournament. He pointed out that inconsistency in the top order, particularly from players like Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya, has hurt the side’s momentum.
He added that Punjab’s bowling and fielding performances remain areas of concern, although the return of Lockie Ferguson provided some encouragement.
Meanwhile, former India batter Sanjay Bangar praised young Punjab Kings all-rounder Cooper Connolly for making a steady impact in the tournament.
Bangar said Connolly impressed from his debut appearance against Gujarat Titans and has maintained consistency despite the natural ups and downs of T20 cricket. He highlighted the youngster’s preference for scoring through the off-side and his willingness to back his strengths as positive signs for his development.
Looking ahead to the much-anticipated “Revenge Week” clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bangar said LSG would require significant contributions from their overseas batters to challenge an in-form RCB side.
He noted that Bengaluru’s batting lineup appears settled, with strong performances from Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, along with valuable lower-order contributions.
The Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru encounter in the TATA IPL 2026 “Revenge Week” is scheduled for 7:30 PM and will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.
