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India Gazette
11 hours ago
- 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)
News18
14 hours ago
- General
- News18
Keshav Maharaj 'Sad To See' Heinrich Klaasen Retire: 'Leaves A Big Gap In...'
Last Updated: Keshav Maharaj praised Heinrich Klaasen's contributions to South African cricket following his retirement after a seven-year career. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj acknowledged the significant void left by his longtime teammate Heinrich Klaasen's retirement from international cricket. Klaasen, one of the modern era's most formidable batters, announced his retirement after a seven-year international career that began in 2018. The 33-year-old played a key role in South Africa's white-ball resurgence, helping the team 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 paid tribute to Klaasen's contribution to South African cricket and the considerable gap his departure creates. 'He's probably one of the most feared batsmen in white-ball cricket today. It's sad to see him go," the ICC quoted Maharaj, who is preparing for the World Test Championship Final, as saying. 'He's still young, younger than me, but we can only wish him well. I'm sure he has his reasons, and we must respect that. He leaves a big gap in the lineup, but I know he'll continue supporting us," he added. Maharaj also reflected on a turning point in Klaasen's career. 'From both a teammate's and a cricketing perspective, we know his skill. It's amazing to see his journey, from being in and out of the team to having one series that changed everything. 'It was against Australia. I remember that ODI series; he scored a hundred and two fifties in three matches. He never looked back after that." This pivotal moment occurred during the home ODI series against Australia in February-March 2020. Klaasen's unbeaten 123 in the opening match, his maiden ODI century, followed by scores of 51 and 68* led South Africa to a 3-0 series sweep. Klaasen finished with 242 runs and was named Player of the Series. One of the most memorable moments Maharaj and Klaasen shared recently was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final against India. Chasing 177, South Africa were 70/3 in the ninth over when Klaasen came in and scored a rapid 27-ball 52, swinging the match in South Africa's favour. The game shifted dramatically when Klaasen was dismissed by Hardik Pandya. Reflecting on the T20 World Cup final, Maharaj said, 'It was probably one of the most special finals. We didn't win, but Klaasen's knock gave us hope. Without it, we would have lost by a much larger margin. 'He brought us back into the game and showed his world-class skills in a high-stakes match. His performance was truly special." (With inputs from IANS) First Published: June 03, 2025, 15:02 IST
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Test retirements 'shocked' Kuldeep Yadav: 'You need your best players in a big series'
Kuldeep Yadav is one of those cricketers who benefitted greatly from the leadership and experience of his captains, people who could put their arms around his shoulders and set him down the right path, to make best use of his left-arm leg-spin weapons. With R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli retiring in quick succession, Kuldeep suddenly finds himself as one of the more experienced members of the Indian squad. As one of the few players in India's squad for the tour of England who have visited the country before, Kuldeep reflected on what it means to see these high-profile players call it a day. Speaking to an Indian Express panel, Kuldeep explained how he was caught off-guard, as many others, by Rohit and Kohli's decision. 'I had an inkling that Ash bhai might retire due to his body. I was shocked when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai retired. You want your senior players to stay for big series such as this,' explained the 30-year-old. 'The responsibility is taken by the seniors and the youngsters feel free. That's how I used to feel. I'd approach them in case of any doubts.' 'I had a great understanding and bond with Rohit bhai. He used to look after me like an elder brother, even off the field,' explained Kuldeep about the captain under whom he was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy winning teams. 'When bowling, he used to tell me clearly what he expected from me and whether I was delivering it or not. If he found that I was lagging somewhere, he used to tell me to put more effort on that aspect. He would clearly tell me the role he expected from me, and sometimes he used to scold me as well — little things that always lifted me in bad times and took great care of me,' explained Kuldeep, who found a career resurgence once Sharma came in as captain. However, as a youngster, Kuldeep broke through under the guidance of Kohli, and he spoke about his gratitude regarding how Kohli was a mentor for him when he was still developing as a cricketer and a person. 'I made my Test debut under Virat Kohli. He did not play the match (in 2017) but he handed me the cap,' said Kuldeep. 'At that time, I was raw and not mature, but he handled me wonderfully, gave me the belief that I could be good in this format. He always supported me and I always enjoyed playing with him.' Kuldeep is part of the travelling squad of England after a strong display with Delhi Capitals in the IPL, and will be at the disposal of new captain Shubman Gill should his attacking spin bowling be needed on the five-match Test tour.
Hans India
a day ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Colombo included as venue for 2025 Women's ODI WC, to run from Sep 30 to Nov 2
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup will be played in India from September 30 to November 2, with the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo included amongst the tournament venues. In India, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, the Holkar Stadium in Indore, and the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam have been selected as venues. ICC added that the event will commence with a blockbuster clash featuring co-hosts India in Bengaluru on September 30, as the tournament returns to the country for the first time after 2013. Bengaluru has been a consistent host of women's cricket games, internationally as well as domestically via the Women's Premier League (WPL). Guwahati hosted a T20I series between India and England in 2019, while Visakhapatnam last hosted a women's international game in 2014. Indore, though, is yet to host women's international games at Holkar Stadium, with the city hosting two women's ODI World Cup games in 2000 at the Nehru Stadium. Colombo being added to the list of venues happened due to Pakistan entering the main event after winning the qualifying competition in Lahore in April this year. It's in line with a reciprocal arrangement signed between the BCCI and PCB before the 2025 Champions Trophy. The ICC added that the venues for the knockouts are dependent on Pakistan qualifying for it, as two alternative venues have been identified for one semifinal and the final. The first semifinal will be held in either Guwahati or Colombo on October 29, while the second semifinal is to be hosted in Bengaluru on October 30. The final will be held either in Bengaluru or Colombo on November 2. Colombo will be the venue for the first semifinal and the final only if Pakistan qualifies for the knockouts. Apart from India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan will be playing in the Women's ODI World Cup. Australia will enter the event as the reigning champions after beating England in the final of the 2022 Women's ODI World Cup in New Zealand. Australia are also the most successful team in the tournament's history, having been crowned champions on seven occasions. The format for the 2025 tournament will be the same as in 2022 - eight teams playing a total of 31 matches, 28 in the league stage and three being the knockouts.
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Guilt Of Not Being There For Jos Buttler" Driving Joe Root's Recent ODI Resurgence
Following his side's hard-fought win over West Indies in the second ODI, England batter Joe Root said that the guilt of not playing much 50-over cricket under the captaincy of Joe Root is driving his resurgance in the format and he wants to continue playing as much ODIs he can for England in future. It was milestones galore for Root as he went past Eoin Morgan to become England's top ODI scorer, became the first player to register 7,000 ODI runs for England, and put his best individual score of 166* in ODIs during a three-wicket win against England. Speaking after the match as quoted by Sky Sports, "It is a sign you are getting old (on scoring 7,000 runs in ODIs), having played as many games as that." "I want to give as much as I can for England for as long as I can. I have still got a lot to give and a lot more runs in there, and hopefully, an innings like that shows that." "Until that desire, that want to get better every day, that want to add to the group and want to be not out at the end of a chase like that, when that is not a burning desire any more, it will be time to stop. It does not feel like that is anywhere near the case at the moment, and I will keep just trying to do my part in helping us win games and series down the line," he concluded his point. Speaking about his lack of involvement in ODIs after 2019 World Cup, playing just 19 ODIs under Buttler with majority of the coming in disastrous 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, Root said, "I have played a huge amount of cricket with Jos and I almost felt guilty that I was not able to be there for him throughout a lot of his tenure." "Now that there is more chances and more opportunities to play ODI cricket, I want to be involved in that. I want to play as much as I can for England. If I'm going to make the team better, then absolutely." he added. In a total of 36 ODIs after England's 2019 WC win, Root has scored 1,226 runs at an average of 40.86, with two centuries and nine fifties. His best score is 166*. Speaking about his captain Harry Brook, he said, "As much as he is an idiot away from cricket - and I can say that because I have known him forever - he's very cricket intelligent." "He understands the game exceptionally well. I think that is what will make him a really good leader as well. I think you saw he might see the game slightly differently, and he might do things differently, but it asked different questions," he concluded. With 7,082 runs in 179 matches and 168 innings at an average of 49.18, 18 centuries and 42 fifties, he is England's top run-scorer in ODIs. This year in eight ODIs, he has scored 560 runs at an average of 80.00, with two centuries and three fifties. His best score is 166*. Root is already a top run-getter for England in Test cricket, having overtaken Alastair Cook last year. In 153 Tests, he has made 13,006 runs at an average of 50.80, with 36 centuries and 65 fifties. His best score is 262. He is the fifth-highest run-getter in Test history and is racing towards Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 15,921 runs. Coming to the match, a century from Kaecy Carthy (103 in 105 balls, with 13 fours) and half-centuries from Brandon King (59 in 67 balls, with 10 fours) and Shai Hope (78 in 66 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) guided WI to 308/10 after being put to field first by England. Adil Rashid (4/63) and Saqib Mahmood (3/37) were the top bowlers for England. During the run-chase, England lost wickets early, but Root (166* in 139 balls, with 21 fours and two sixes) along with support acts from Brook (47 in 36 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Will Jacks (49 in 58 balls, with two fours) helped England secure a thrilling three wicket win with seven balls left. Root was given the 'Player of the Match' award. England leads the series of three matches by 2-0.
