Heinrich Klaasen Joins Chris Gayle In Elite List, Becomes 4th Player In The World To…
Klaasen hammered 25 runs from 22 balls on Friday (November 8) to top score for South Africa in the first T20I played against India at Kingsmead in Durban. But his effort went in vain as India dismissed the hosts for 141 runs in 17.5 overs to win the first T20I of the ongoing four-match series by 61 runs. During his stay at the crease, Klassen smashed two fours and one six, showing aggressive batting style.
The solitary six on Friday helped him join legendary West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle in an elite list. The right-handed batter became the first South African and fourth batter overall in the world to hit 100 sixes in a calendar year. In 53 T20 matches played so far in 2024, Klaasen has 100 sixes to his name.
During his playing days, Gayle hammered 100 or more sixes in a calendar year on six occasions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017). Andre Russell smashed 101 sixes in 46 T20 matches played in 2019, whereas Nicholas Pooran has 165 sixes to his name in 68 T20 matches played so far in 2024, some of which came competing against .
Most sixes in a year in T20s
| YEAR | PLAYER | MATCHES | RUNS | SIXES |
| 2024 | Nicholas Pooran | 68 | 2251 | 165 |
| 2015 | Chris Gayle | 36 | 1665 | 135 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | 40 | 1532 | 121 |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | 31 | 1497 | 116 |
| 2016 | Chris Gayle | 48 | 1304 | 112 |
| 2017 | Chris Gayle | 44 | 1291 | 101 |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | 46 | 1080 | 101 |
| 2013 | Chris Gayle | 33 | 1344 | 100 |
| 2024 | Heinrich Klaasen | 53 | 1362 | 100* |
In 2024, apart from representing South Africa in 10 T20Is in which he has smacked 14 sixes, Klaasen has played for the Durban Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Titans, and Seattle Orcas. He scored 37 sixes in 13 T20s for the Durban Super Giants, 38 sixes in 16 matches for SRH, 3 sixes for the Seattle Orcas, and 8 sixes for the Titans, further showcasing Heinrich’s power-hitting skills.
| SERIES | TEAM | MATCHES | RUNS | SIXES |
| SA20 | Durban Super Giants | 13 | 447 | 37 |
| IPL | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 16 | 479 | 38 |
| T20 World Cup + 1st T20I vs India | South Africa | 10 | 215 | 14 |
| MLC | Seattle Orcas | 7 | 97 | 3 |
| CSA T20 Challenge | Titans | 7 | 124 | 8 |
The overall record of hitting most sixes in a calendar year in T20s is in the name of Pooran, who has smashed 165 sixes so far in 2024. Former West Indies captain, retained for Rs 21 crore by Lucknow Super Giants, holds the record for most T20 runs in a calendar year, narrowly outperforming Heinrich.
Heinrich retained for Rs 23 crore
Klaasen, retained for Rs 23 crore by SRH ahead of IPL 2025, has become the second most expensive player in IPL history after impressive performances in recent seasons.
