Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes attributes Heinrich Klaasen's recent impressive performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the additional downtime spent with his family, away from the demanding schedule of international cricket.

Rhodes, renowned for his outstanding fielding during his career, is involved in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) as co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise alongside Klaasen and Faf du Plessis, with Madhukhar Shree as managing partner.

After Klaasen’s unbeaten 65 against Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 29, Rhodes stated, “If you look at his form in T20 cricket, maybe he has got that sort of form because he is enjoying, you know, the less pressure. You play international cricket, there is no downtime.” Klaasen is among the leading IPL performers of 2026, having scored 414 runs in nine innings at an average of 59.14 and a strike rate of 157.14, including four half-centuries.

Since retiring from international cricket in June last year, Klaasen has sustained his popularity and success on the T20 circuit. This marks his fourth consecutive season scoring over 400 runs for SRH. His dual capability as both aggressor and stabiliser in the middle order has been instrumental in SRH’s strong performance this season. Klaasen’s last international match was in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against New Zealand in Pakistan.

Rhodes also reflected on discussions with Faf du Plessis prior to acquiring the Rotterdam franchise, emphasising the need for players to take breaks from international cricket amid a congested calendar combining international duties and lucrative T20 leagues. “So I think from that perspective, yes, maybe he is playing with such incredible freedom because he does not have to play international cricket. We saw Quinton de Kock come and retire, then come back into the international game and still perform well. But giving players a gap and a breather is what they need emotionally and mentally more than the physical side,” Rhodes commented.

Responding specifically about Klaasen, Rhodes added, “Klaasen is getting that downtime, he has time with his family, which is important.” Since retiring internationally, Klaasen has played 38 T20 matches, scoring 966 runs in 36 innings at an average of 32.2 with a strike rate exceeding 145, including seven half-centuries.

Klaasen is one of the most prolific T20 run-scorers this decade, amassing 5,206 runs in 207 matches with an average of 33.8 and a strike rate above 154. His record includes three centuries and 35 half-centuries in 190 innings.

Making his debut for South Africa in 2018, Klaasen was a vital part of the limited-overs setup until his retirement last year. He compiled 3,245 runs in 122 matches at an average of 32.45 and a strike rate of 117.40, including four centuries and 16 half-centuries, with a highest score of 174. While he struggled in Tests, scoring only 104 runs across four matches without reaching a fifty, his aggressive hitting and clutch performances were crucial in limited-overs cricket.

In 60 One Day Internationals, Klaasen scored 2,141 runs at an average of 43.69 and a strike rate over 117, including four centuries and 11 fifties, with a best innings of 174. In T20 Internationals, he accumulated 1,000 runs in 58 matches and 53 innings at an average of 23.25 and a strike rate above 141, including five half-centuries and a top score of 81.