SRH to release 2025's most expensive retention ahead of IPL 2026 auction: Reports

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) could be set to make a massive release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. According to a report by The Times of India, the franchise is likely to release former South African Heinrich Klaasen.

SRH had retained Klaasen for a whopping ₹23 crore before the 2025 season, making him the costliest retention. However, he could not deliver as expected and failed to justify the massive price tag.

The right-hander also retired from international cricket to focus on T20 franchise leagues across the globe. SRH could very well increase their purse significantly by releasing Klaasen ahead of the upcoming auction. Having finished sixth in IPL 2025, they could add more strength to their squad with a bigger purse. The franchise would aim to make a strong comeback after having played the final in 2024.

They could even look to get Klaasen back for a lesser price at the auction.

"There are strong murmurs and it could well be a smart move by SRH if they do that. 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," a source was quoted as saying.

The report further added that several franchises have their eyes set on Klaasen and could look to go after him if he were a part of the auction.

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Klaasen has spent three seasons with SRH

Heinrich Klaasen first played in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) during the 2018 season. He played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2019. The right-hander returned to the league after a considerable gap in 2023, being signed by SRH.

In his first season with Hyderabad, he scored 448 runs from 12 games. The next season, he made 479 runs from 16 matches. In the 2025 edition, Klaasen scored 487 runs from 13 innings at an average of 44.27 and a strike-rate of 172.69. He also struck an unbeaten hundred and a half-century.

While his performance last season was certainly not bad, it may not have been enough to justify the huge price tag. Overall, he has played 49 matches in the league, scoring 1480 runs with two hundreds and seven half-centuries.