Sunrisers Hyderabad Could Release THIS Rs 23 Crore STAR BATTER Before IPL 2026 Auction: Report

IPL 2026 Auction: In an interesting turn of events, Sunrisers Hyderabad could make a shocking move to let go of Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the IPL 2026. The star South African cricketer might return to the auction after getting released.

With an aim to bounce back after a disappointing IPL 2025, SRH will likely get rid of their most expensive player. Notably, SRH finished sixth in the IPL 2025. As per a report of The Times of India, SRH are considering releasing Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the retention deadline, which is expected to be 15th November. It is also widely reported that the auction will take place in December, in which Klassen could be part.

Retained before the 2025 auction, Klaasen was the highest earner at the franchise last season with the massive price of Rs 23 crore, pocketing much more than Pat Cummins (Rs 18 crore) and Abhishek Sharma (Rs 14 crore). He started the season slowly but ended with a career-best tally of 487 runs at a strike rate of 172.69, including a century and a fifty.

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"There are strong murmurs, and it could well be a smart move by SRH if they do that," the report quoted a source as saying. "Going into the auction with Rs 23 crore more allows them a reasonable shot to fill in the crucial gaps – assemble a penetrating bowling attack and get their middle-order act right. They can even have a fair shot at getting the South African back (for) around Rs 15 crore, and the balance can help them do some effective shopping."

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The star wicketkeeper-batter Klaasen has been considered among the best T20 batters in the world. He is known for his power-hitting skills and has the ability to change the game. Despite growing up in the bouncy tracks of Africa, he’s also one of the best players of spin.

The report claimed that the SRH management is deep in discussions over their auction strategy. Notably, Klaasen is the most expensive overseas player currently in the IPL, as well as the most expensive retention in history. Klaasen retired from international cricket earlier this year and had forgettable campaigns with the bat in the SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and the Hundred in 2025.

The report also mentioned the possibility of other changes, as Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Shami could also get released, but as things stand, it looks like both players will stay with the franchise.