SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) star Heinrich Klaasen produced one of the most destructive batting displays of IPL 2026 as he tore apart Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Josh Hazlewood during their high-voltage clash in Hyderabad on Friday, May 22. The South African wicketkeeper-batter hammered Hazlewood for 27 runs in a single over, completely shifting momentum in SRH’s favour at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The carnage unfolded in the 13th over of SRH’s innings after Ishan Kishan rotated the strike with a single off the opening delivery. Klaasen immediately attacked Hazlewood’s fuller-length bowling, launching the Australian quick over cow corner for a massive six. Hazlewood then lost his rhythm completely, conceding two wides before Klaasen punished him again with a gigantic 93-metre six over long-on.
The aggressive right-hander showed no signs of slowing down as he followed it up with a boundary through the off-side before smashing a full toss over long-on for his third six of the over. The innings was completely stunned RCB and further underlined Klaasen’s reputation as one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in T20 cricket.
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Klaasen has been SunRisers Hyderabad’s standout batter this season and continued his sensational form in IPL 2026. The Proteas star now has more than 560 runs this season, making him SRH’s leading run-scorer. In contrast, Josh Hazlewood endured a rare off-day with the ball after entering the match with only four wickets from his previous five outings.
A six-hitting Master-KLAAS on show 🍿
🎥 Heinrich Klaasen going big against Josh Hazlewood 💥💥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZcxjefgalG#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvRCB | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/DGYE4ND2WN
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2026
SRH’s batting dominance began much earlier in the innings, with openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head once again delivering a blazing start. Abhishek smashed 56 off just 22 balls, hammering four boundaries and five sixes, while Travis Head added 26 from 16 deliveries.
Klaasen and Ishan Kishan then carried the momentum brilliantly in the middle overs. Kishan played a composed yet aggressive innings, finishing unbeaten on 79 off 46 balls, while Klaasen blasted 51 from only 24 deliveries.
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SunRisers Hyderabad eventually posted a mammoth 255/4 in their 20 overs, putting themselves in a commanding position against the defending champions. Rasikh Salam and Suyash Sharma managed one wicket each for RCB. The massive total also kept SRH’s slim hopes of a top-two finish alive heading into the IPL 2026 playoffs.
