Klaasen becomes the most expensive retained player in the history of the tournament

New Delhi, 1 November (Hindustan Reporter). Heinrich Klaasen has set a new benchmark as the most expensive player retained by an IPL team ahead of the auction.

On Thursday, Sunrisers Hyderabad confirmed the retention of Klaasen for a record-breaking Rs 23 crore, which was earlier compared to the Rs 17 crore Royal Challengers Bangalore had spent to retain Virat Kohli in 2017.

Klaasen played a key role in Hyderabad reaching the final in the 2024 season, scoring 479 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of 171.07.

The 33-year-old South African has been in excellent form in T20 leagues globally, cementing his position in franchise cricket.

RCB gave Kohli a retention of Rs 21 crore before the upcoming IPL season, which is Rs 3 crore more than the prescribed slab. Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants was also given a retention fee of Rs 21 crore.