I alter my approach when facing Jasprit Bumrah: Heinrich Klaasen

The world was taken aback when Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from international cricket a short time ago since many believed he still had plenty of cricket left to play for South Africa on the grandest platform. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, decided to concentrate on franchise-based and T20 competitions worldwide.

Given his considerable success with technique and creativity in T20 cricket, Heinrich Klaasen believes it is extremely challenging to take on a top-tier bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, particularly in the game’s shortest format when the hitters cannot afford to be silent for an extended period of time. However, because of Bumrah’s tight line and lengths, Heinrich Klaasen finds it challenging to strike the 30-year-old’s precise deliveries.

“I believe that my approach varies significantly depending on him [Bumrah].” He’s lots of tricks, so you do open up a little bit since he doesn’t really miss his execution. Additionally, he has some speed. incredibly slick bowler. You’re cautious of the slower ball he bowls, but you also want to open up specific parts of the field. He’s undoubtedly one of the hardest bowlers to score off, but I wouldn’t say he’s one of the hardest to face.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Heinrich Klaasen said, “He has an awkward action.”

“I’m obviously very fortunate that I won’t have to play against him with that new ball. That, in my opinion, is a very different situation. He works his angles with the older ball; most deliveries go into us and he doesn’t miss. You have to be at your best so that you can take advantage of his misses, which he seldom does,” he continued.

The contrast between Bumrah’s wide and open-chest action—which demands a change in angle even while bowling from the other side of the wicket, particularly to right-handers—was further clarified by the stumper-batter. Heinrich Klaasen added that Bumrah’s movement aids him in swinging the ball in, much like Australia’s Mitchell Starc’s left-arm pace would aid right-handed batters.

“I believe that the angle that the movement makes on the crease is rather broad. It’s similar to when Starc turns around and throws the ball in reverse. It’s a significant change in angle. The Proteas cricket player went on to say, “Bumrah just gets that angle into the right handers.”