Heinrich Klaasen Names Suryakumar Yadav the GOAT of T20 Cricket, Jasprit Bumrah the Toughest T20 Bowler

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South African batsman Heinrich Klaasen named Suryakumar Yadav the greatest of all time (GOAT) in T20 cricket, commending the Indian batting star for his audacious shot-making.

In an exclusive interview with JioCinema’s Q20s, Klaasen praised Yadav's fearless batting style and discussed the shots that have made him a game-changer.

Admiring Suryakumar’s unorthodox approach, Klaasen especially noted the “Supla Shot” over fine leg, a risky shot that has become a hallmark of Yadav’s T20 play. Klaasen admitted he’s hesitant to attempt the shot himself, joking, “I don’t like getting into line too much.”

Klaasen also shared that, if given the chance, he’d combine Suryakumar Yadav’s scoops with AB de Villiers’ “360-degree” strokeplay, creating a blend of his two favourite batsmen, which he dubbed “phenomenal”.

Heinrich Klaasen Picks Jasprit Bumrah as Toughest T20 Bowler

Reflecting on his T20 career, Klaasen picked two memorable innings against India. His 69 in 2018 and 81 in 2022 both stand out, but he favours the latter for the challenging conditions. “Probably the 81,” he told JioCinema, when asked to pick his favourite innings.

Klaasen singled out Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he has faced in T20 cricket. Known for his pinpoint accuracy and variations, Bumrah has repeatedly challenged batsmen, and Klaasen acknowledged that taking on Bumrah’s skill set in the shortest format is a considerable test.

Bumrah has struggled with fitness issues in the last couple of years, which means that he has lost the top rankings in all three formats of the game. In T20I cricket, he is ranked in 27th place in the latest ICC rankings. However, he remains one of the most lethal bowlers on the planet in his day, as Klaasen’s admission showed.

The South African batter is also doing pretty well for himself, as he recently became the costliest retention in IPL history after the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) retained him for a record ₹23 crore, showing his rising star in the IPL.