IPL 2026: ‘A phone call…’- Kevin Pietersen makes bold request on Heinrich Klaasen for ODI World Cup 2027

Despite getting a strong opening partnership of 129 runs in 8.4 overs during the 244-run chase against the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the Sunrisers Hyderabad needed to continue the same onslaught for the next few overs, especially in the middle phase of the clash. 

Moreover, they lost successive wickets with Ishan Kishan getting dismissed for a golden duck. But that was when Heinrich Klaasen walked into the middle and showed his class to shoulder them over the line with eight balls to spare and by six wickets.

Kevin Pietersen urges SA to call Klaasen for ODI World Cup 2027

Klassen remained unbeaten on 65 runs in 30 balls at a strike rate of 216.67 with the help of seven boundaries and four sixes. He took on both the premier pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, to smash them around the park.

This has led the former England batter, Kevin Pietersen, to urge Cricket South Africa (CSA) to contact the right-handed batter and request that he return for the ODI World Cup 2027. It’s noteworthy that the right-handed batter retired from international cricket last year.

“South Africa has never won a cricket World Cup! There should be a phone call this morning from the South African cricket board to Heinrich Klaasen, asking him if he can rejoin international cricket and be a central figure in their campaign to win their first-ever World Cup, which will be held in South Africa next year. Those who wrote Heinrich Klaasen off, hey?! He’s just unbelievable!” Pietersen expressed on X (fomerly known as Twitter). 

Klaasen displays power and class in match-winning knock

Klassen is currently the second leading run-getter of the IPL 2026. He has smashed 414 runs in nine innings at an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 157.41, thanks to four half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 65 runs.

See Also: Watch: ‘Shocked by how…’- Ravichandran Ashwin shocked at Mumbai Indians’ struggle in IPL 2026

“It’s nice to contribute to the team. It’s a great win for us, and hopefully we can repeat it at home. Like I said earlier, if they’re going at 15, 16, it’s going to make your life a little bit easier.” The 34-year-old added.

“Big gap at Cow Corner, so I had to take a risk early. The wicket was good. They (MI) had a quality bowling attack, so we had to take a chance and see if we could make light work of it. (Abhishek and Head) put the bowlers under pressure.” He concluded.

Fans react to Pietersen’s tweet on Klassen in IPL 2026

Here is how the fans have reacted to KP’s post on X regarding Klassen during the IPL 2026-