Heinrich Klaasen Joins Chris Gayle In Elite List, Becomes 4th Player In The World To… – News18

Last Updated:November 09, 2024, 07:41 IST

South African wicketkeeper-batter Klaasen has 100 sixes to his name in 53 T20 matches played so far for five teams in 2024.

Heinrich Klaasen hammered 25 runs from 22 balls on Friday (November 8) to top score for South Africa in the first T20I played against India at Kingsmead in Durban. But his effort went in vain as India dismissed the hosts for 141 runs in 17.5 overs to win the first T20I of the ongoing four-match series by 61 runs. During his stay at the crease, Klassen smashed two fours and one six.

The solitary six on Friday helped him join legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle in an elite list. The right-handed batter became the first South African and fourth batter overall in the world to hit 100 sixes in a calendar year. In 53 T20 matches played so far in 2024, Klaasen has 100 sixes to his name.

During his playing days, Gayle hammered 100 or more sixes in a calendar year on six occasions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017). Andre Russell smashed 101 sixes in 46 T20 matches played in 2019, whereas Nicholas Pooran has 165 sixes to his name in 68 T20 matches played so far in 2024.

Most sixes in a year in T20s

In 2024, apart from representing South Africa in 10 T20Is in which he has smacked 14 sixes, Klaasen has played for the Durban Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Titans, and Seattle Orcas. He scored 37 sixes in 13 T20s for the Durban Super Giants, 38 sixes in 16 matches for SRH, 3 sixes for the Seattle Orcas, and 8 sixes for the Titans.

Heinrich Klaasen’s stats in 2024

The overall record of hitting most sixes in a calendar year in T20s is in the name of Pooran, who has smashed 165 sixes so far in 2024. The former West Indies captain, who was retained for Rs 21 crore by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, also holds the record for scoring most runs in a calendar year in T20s.

Klaasen retained for Rs 23 crore

Klaasen, who joined SRH in the IPL 2023 auction, has been retained for Rs 23 crore by the Hyderabad-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Klaasen has impressed with his performances in the last couple of seasons of IPL, which is why he was rewarded with a bumper contract by Orange Army. By getting retained for Rs 23 crore, Klaasen has become the 2nd most expensive player in IPL history.