South African batter Henrich Klaasen makes a shock exit from all forms of international cricket on Monday (June 2, 2025).
The decision comes as a blow for the country ahead of their co-hosting of the 2027 World Cup, where he would have been a major draw card.
Klaasen, 33, is one of the world’s most destructive batters in white-ball cricket and a mainstay of the South African limited-overs side in recent years.
Klaasen averaged 43.69 with four centuries and 11 fifties in 60 one-day internationals, and scored exactly 1,000 runs in 58 T20 internationals at a strike rate of 141.84. He also played four test matches for South Africa.
Photo:
Reuters
Henrich Klaasen’s retirement acted as a blow to South Africa as he could have been a key batter in the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027. South Africa is the co-host for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
Photo:
Getty Images
“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,” Klaasen said in a Cricket South Africa statement
Photo:
AFP
Klaasen played four Tests for South Africa, scoring 104 runs. He has an average of 13.00 in the format.
Photo:
The Hindu
Klaasen is one of the world’s most destructive batters in white-ball cricket and a mainstay of the South African limited-overs side in recent years.
Photo:
BISWARANJAN ROUT
Klaasen has played 4 Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is for South Africa, in which he scored 2764 runs.
Photo:
Emmanual Yogini
Klaasen is likely to maintain a presence on the global Twenty20 league circuit.
Photo:
ANI
“I have made great friendships and relationships that I will treasure for life. Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life, and to those people I can’t say thank you enough,” Klaasen said in the statement.
Photo:
Vijay Soneji
International cricketers across the world have reacted to the post he shared on Instagram.
Photo:
GALLO IMAGES
Klaasen has scores 4 centuries and 16 half centuries in his career.
Photo:
Getty Images
Heinrich Klaasen has done 14 stampings and taken 94 catches, throughout the formats, as a wicket-keeper.
Photo:
Emmanual Yogini
“I look forward to spending more time with my family as this decision will allow me to do so,” Klaasen wrote in his Instagram post.
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
“My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most and there were certain coaches in my career that kept believing in me – to them I will always be grateful,” Klaasen marked in his statement after retirement.
Photo:
Biswaranjan Rout
Klaasen said, to play with the Proteas badge on his chest was and will always be the biggest honour in his career.
Photo:
Sreekesh
“It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with’” said Klaasen said after announcing retirement.
Published – June 02, 2025 05:12 pm IST