Heinrich Klaasen has been performing exceptionally well for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. On Wednesday, May 6, he scored 69 runs off 43 balls against the Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. His innings included three fours and four sixes, contributing to a strong first-innings total of 235/4. In response, the Kings managed 202/7.
With this impressive performance, Klaasen rose to the top of the run-scorers list in IPL 2026. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan remarked that earning the Orange Cap while batting at No. 4, particularly midway through the season, is a notable accomplishment. Pathan noted the remarkable consistency of the 34-year-old, who scores runs even without facing many balls.
“If someone gets the Orange Cap while batting at No. 4 even once, especially halfway through the season, he deserves a special recognition. This doesn’t happen often. He doesn’t get a lot of balls, but he keeps scoring consistently. This guy is making runs in every match,” Pathan stated in a video on his YouTube channel.
SRH captain Pat Cummins always leads from the front: Irfan Pathan
Pathan also praised Sunrisers’ captain Pat Cummins for his performance with both the ball and in the field against the Punjab Kings. The former cricketer emphasized that Cummins leads by example, which earns him respect within the franchise and in Australia.