In a shock announcement that created waves in the cricketing world, South African wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen announced his international retirement from cricket.
The 33-year-old announced the news on social media on June 2, citing his desire to spend more time with family after having developed himself into one of South Africa's top white-ball batsmen.
Klaasen's retirement follows within months of playing for the Proteas at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where South Africa's effort was cut short in the semi-finals by New Zealand. Prolific with the bat and a reliable middle-order presence, Klaasen leaves behind an impressive white-ball legacy: 2,141 runs in ODIs, 1,000 runs in T20Is, and 104 runs in Tests — accompanied by four international centuries.
"It is a sad day for me as I let everyone know that I have made the decision to retire from international cricket. It took a while for me to make up my mind about what's best for my family and myself in the future. It was actually a very hard choice but also something that I have complete peace with," Klaasen stated.
"Right from day one, it was the greatest honour to be representing my country and it was all that I have worked for and dreamed of as a young lad," he said.
Klaasen had already retired from Test cricket in 2024, but his abrupt walk-away from ODI and T20I cricket marks the conclusion of an important chapter in South Africa's white-ball cricket plan. He is the world record-holder for the highest ODI score by a No. 5 batter — an unbeaten 174 from only 83 deliveries against Australia in September 2023 — a display that best demonstrated his game-changing abilities.
Ever since his first match against India in 2018, Klaasen was appreciated for his composure in playing spin bowling and playing under pressure. Apart from his international career, he became a highly sought player in T20 leagues all around the globe. Most recently, he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025 season, providing steady performances while the team failed to make the playoffs, ending sixth in the table.
He ended the IPL season with a spectacular unbeaten 105 from 39 balls against arch-rivals Kolkata Knight Riders — his second IPL century.
Klaasen's retirement is the latest in a series of surprise departures in world cricket, following Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell's unexpected decision to retire from ODI cricket earlier the same day.
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