'Not trying to impress anyone anymore': Heinrich Klaasen on comparison with Ab de Villiers

Sunrisers Hyderabad star batter Heinrich Klaasen opened up on his comparison with South Africa great AB de Villiers ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024 Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals. The batter reckoned that he is not trying to impress anyone anymore.

Klassen is one of the reasons why SRH sealed their berth in the playoffs in the ongoing tournament. He scored 413 runs in 14 matches including three fifties at a strike rate of 180.35. 

When asked to compare his 2018 version the South Africa batter said that he has matured a lot since his T20I debut. 

Heinrich Klaasen on comparison with Ab de Villiers

“I've definitely matured a lot.  I am not trying to impress anyone anymore. I think back then it was almost like I had to show off all my skills that I've got and I was also compared to a guy who can play 360 degrees [AB de Villiers]. So I wanted to show all the shots that I had which messed with my mind quite a bit. Through learning and my experiences, through the years, I've been dropped and my game was in such terrible shape that I really had to go rediscover who the real Heinrich Klaasen was. Where I am sitting right now, it is a lot simpler. Back that one skillset and knowing on the day that if I really need to, I can go to option B and C. So I think it's the maturity,” said Klassen on cricbuzz. 

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Klassen will play a crucial role for the Hyderabad-based franchise in the Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The star batter reckoned that he is fortunate enough to play with the South African legend.

“He's a freak of nature in my eyes. The way he does things... I've been fortunate enough to bat with him. He's obviously a super talent but his brain just works on a different level. That's what made him a genius. And his areas are a lot different.”

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There was a year that I tried to copy one or two of his shots but it just didn't suit my game. He's a special human being. The genius of his work was that he can know exactly where the bowler will bowl about 70-80% of the time, and that's not something you can teach or learn from anyone," he said.

At this point in time, SRH are just a win away from sealing their spot in the final of the ongoing IPL 2024 where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the clash will take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

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