‘We’re losing in key moments’: Klaasen reveals what’s hurting SRH in IPL 2026

New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen has delivered a blunt appraisal of the franchise’s stuttering IPL 2026 campaign, identifying batting execution lapses and sloppy fielding as the primary culprits behind a 1-3 start. Speaking after the side’s third game, the South African insisted the 2016 champions remain capable of a turnaround despite back-to-back defeats to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants.

“Our batting has been good so far, but we missed out about 40 runs in three games,” Klaasen said. “We need to bat better. The two games that we struggled, we didn’t execute with the bat.” He added that totals around 220-230 would give the bowling unit a realistic chance to defend, a benchmark SRH have not consistently reached.

Fielding has been an equal concern. Klaasen graded the side’s overall performance at “six out of ten,” highlighting dropped catches and misfields that have swung momentum against them. “We played some brilliant cricket in phases but lost out in the crucial moments,” he admitted, stressing that improvement must be collective. While the pace attack has largely adhered to plans—“hanging on as per plan,” in Klaasen’s words—he emphasised that sharp work in the park is non-negotiable. “We need to hold onto our catches.”

On a personal level, Klaasen has been SRH’s standout performer, registering consecutive half-centuries batting at No. 4. “Unfortunately we lost two games, but it’s been a good start for me. I would like to continue this form,” he said. The 34-year-old views the middle-order anchor role as familiar territory. “It’s a role I’ve played throughout my career. My job is to keep going even if Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma or Travis Head are going. Every game brings a different situation.”

With a fixture against Punjab Kings looming, Klaasen believes rectifying small but costly errors can convert promising passages into complete performances. “It’s still early days,” he reminded, signalling that SRH have time—and, crucially, the talent—to reverse their fortunes before the playoff race slips away.