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India Gazette
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"He's probably one of, if not the most feared batsman": Keshav Maharaj on Heinrich Klaasen's international retirement
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): After Heinrich Klaasen's retirement from international cricket, South Africa all-rounder Keshav Maharaj hailed the wicketkeeper-batter's influence on the modern game, as per the ICC official website. Heinrich Klaasen stunned the cricketing world on Monday by announcing his decision to step away from international cricket. Widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters of the modern era, Klaasen's international career spanned just seven years, having debuted in 2018. Despite the brevity of his stint, the 33-year-old played a pivotal role in South Africa's white-ball resurgence, helping them reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, as well as the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Maharaj, who has watched the wicket-keeper batter from close quarters through the years, reflected on what he believes was the turning point in Klaasen's career. 'From a teammate point of view and a cricketing point of view, we know the skill he possesses,' Maharaj said, speaking with the ICC while in preparation for the World Test Championship Final. 'It's amazing to see how his journey's transitioned, where you're sort of in and out, probably not knowing where he stands, and then it just took one series that really changed the game. It was actually against Australia, I remember that ODI series, I think he got two 100s and a 50 [one hundred and two fifties] in that three-match series. And he's never looked back,' Maharaj added. The innings Maharaj referred to came during the home ODI series against Australia in February-March 2020. At the time, Klaasen's ODI career appeared to be on shaky ground, with just 251 runs in 14 matches at an average of a little over 22, with only one score above fifty. That series marked a dramatic turnaround for Klaasen in international cricket, starting with a brilliant unbeaten 123 in the opening match, his maiden ODI century. He followed it up with scores of 51 and 68* as South Africa swept the series 3-0. He finished with 242 runs and was deservedly named Player of the Series. Maharaj paid tribute to the retiring batter, recognising both his influence on South African cricket and the significant void he leaves behind. 'He's probably one of, if not the most feared batsman, especially in the white-ball game these days. Yeah, it's sad to know that he's walking away. He's still young,' Maharaj noted. 'He's younger than me. But, you know, we can only wish him well. I'm sure he has his reasons as to why, and you've got to respect that. Obviously, a huge boot to fill within the lineup. But I know he'll still be here supporting us and making sure that we get over the line in this game as well,' he added. One of the most memorable matches Maharaj and Klaasen shared in recent times was the thrilling ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against India. Chasing 177 for victory, South Africa were 70/3 in the ninth over when Klaasen walked in and immediately seized the momentum. With a stunning counterattack, he smashed a 27-ball 52, swinging the match in South Africa's favour and reducing the equation to just 26 needed from 24 balls. But the game turned dramatically when Klaasen fell to the very first ball of a new over from Hardik Pandya, a pivotal moment from which South Africa never quite recovered and ended up seven runs short. Looking back at the game, Maharaj said: 'If you look at it, it probably goes down as one of the most special finals. We didn't get over the line, but if it wasn't for that knock, we would have probably lost by a lot more than we did. 'So he brought us back in the game and gave us a little bit of hope. And [we] probably didn't cross the final hurdle, but it was super special to witness the calibre and the skill factor of the player come out in a game of that magnitude. It just shows why he's world-class,' Maharaj concluded. (ANI)
India.com
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This beautiful sports presenter returns to IPL 2025, she is a daughter of CSK legend..., her name is...
In this collection of pictures we shall know about the sports presenter who returned to IPL 2025. She is the daughter of Chennai Super King's star cricketer. Let's dive in. Grace Hayden's return to IPL 2025 as a host with mascot Champak quickly took the internet by storm, gaining massive traction across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and X for her lively presence and magnetic appeal. Grace Hayden's lively moment with IPL's mascot Champak at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium lit up the scene — featuring spontaneous dancing, interactive crowd activities, and viral-worthy highlights. Despite carrying a last name linked to cricket legend status, Grace Hayden has carved out her own path as a dynamic sports presenter and style reporter, showing she's far more than simply Matthew Hayden's daughter. Grace Hayden's heartfelt homage to India, saying "Everything's louder, bigger, and better here," resonated deeply with audiences, strengthening her bond with Indian cricket enthusiasts. Having previously worked at the 2023 Cricket World Cup and Racing X, Grace Hayden adds international media experience that complements the IPL's ambition to engage a worldwide audience. Garnering millions of views after her IPL introduction, Grace Hayden's sponsored features and exclusive backstage glimpses are generating huge natural traction for Star Sports and its brand partners.
Al Jazeera
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa's win ends Afghanistan hopes
Rassie van der Dussen scored 72 not out off 87 balls to lead South Africa into the semifinals of the Champions Trophy by beating bottom-of-the-table England by seven wickets. Van der Dussen's half-century highlighted South Africa's clinical performance on Saturday as it finished atop Group B ahead of Australia in second and Afghanistan, who are now eliminated, in third. The Proteas finished with 181-3 in 29.1 overs in reply to England's hapless effort of 179 all out (38.2 overs). This was after England – already ousted from the tournament after back-to-back losses – had won the toss and opted to bat. Marco Jansen picked 3-39 in seven overs while Wiaan Mulder took 3-25 in 7.2 overs as England's batting looked disinterested. England had previously lost to Australia and Afghanistan and thus finished winless after three games, marking a dismal end to Jos Buttler's run as skipper. Buttler announced on Friday that he would step down after England's surprising exit as well as their past failures in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Australia are the second team to qualify from Group B and will face either India or New Zealand after those two Group A teams battle for the top spot in Dubai on Sunday. Afghanistan had an outside hope of progressing in second spot with Australia winning the group if England had beaten the Proteas by 200 runs or more. England's innings suffered early blows against Jansen. Phil Salt was out caught for eight, and then Jamie Smith was caught for a three-ball duck. It became 37-3 when Ben Duckett returned a catch to Jansen for 24 off 21 balls. 'These were good conditions from a batting point of view, and the boys worked very hard,' said Jansen, who was named player of the match. 'I used my options well and hit my lengths.' Joe Root top-scored with 37 off 44 balls and made an effort to stabilise the innings. He added 62 off 61 balls with Harry Brook (19). Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-35) got the breakthrough with Jansen taking a nice catch at midwicket to dismiss Brook. Thereafter, England collapsed again. Mulder bowled Root in the 18th over, and while Buttler held one end with 21 off 43 balls, regular wickets meant that the English innings never took flight. Jofra Archer scored 25 off 31 balls with four fours. England lost its last seven wickets for 80 runs, finishing with a below-par score. 'It was a really disappointing performance, and we were short of our mark today,' Buttler said after England's seventh straight ODI defeat. 'It was a decent surface, and Duckett got us into a nice position, but we couldn't take advantage of that. As a whole group, we are not getting results, and that takes away the confidence from us.' Chasing a paltry total, South Africa's start wasn't too good either. Archer bowled makeshift opener Tristan Stubbs for a five-ball duck and then bowled Ryan Rickelton (27) later on as well. It was 47-2 when van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen came together, and they put on 127 runs off 122 balls for the third wicket. Van der Dussen reached 50 off 72 balls, and his knock for the day included six fours and three sixes overall. Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram did not bat after he sustained a hamstring injury while fielding. Klaasen finished with 64 off 56 balls with 11 fours before he was out caught off Adil Rashid (1-37) near the finish line.
