Kevin Pietersen has urged Cricket South Africa to convince Heinrich Klaasen to reverse his international retirement following his match-winning innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pietersen believes Klaasen’s red-hot form could be key to securing South Africa’s first limited-overs World Cup in 2027.
The appeal comes after Klaasen powered SRH to a stunning chase against Mumbai Indians on April 29. South Africa, despite having a rich cricketing history, has never won the men’s ODI World Cup and last won the ICC’s major limited-overs title in 1998. Having reached the final of the T20 World Cup in 2024 but lost to India in a dramatic final, South Africa continues to seek a breakthrough ICC title in limited-overs formats.
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“South Africa have never won a Cricket World Cup. The South African Cricket Board should call Heinrich Klaasen this morning to ask if he can rejoin international cricket and be central to their campaign to try and win their first ever FIFA World Cup next year in South Africa,” Pietersen wrote on X. cricket, Klaasen can be for South Africa at the home World Cup Players like him don’t go often and his presence would greatly enhance their chances,” he added. Klaasen urged to return to international cricket for South Africa (screenshot from X)
IS KLAASEN OPEN FOR RETURNS?
However, Klaasen has already ruled out a return, citing personal priorities, despite briefly reconsidering his decision ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“It was an idea for about two weeks. Then we decided against it. Obviously, my family played a huge part in it. My friends did very well in the World Cup, I had a bit of FOMO to come back,” Klaasen said in a video shared by IPL. “I actually spoke to Aiden (Markram). He said if he’s the captain then I’ll definitely come back. But after the World Cup I realized that’s not going to happen. So I’m not coming back,” he added.
His decision comes even when he enjoys it prolific season in the Indian Premier Leaguewhere he was one of the leading performers of his franchise. The middle-order batsman amassed 414 runs in nine innings at a pace of 157.41, placing him second in the Orange Cap race behind team-mate Abhishek Sharma. He will next feature when SRH take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad on May 3.
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Published on:
30 Apr 2026 10:54 IST
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