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New Delhi: South African attacking batsman Heinrich Klaasen expressed hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad will be able to perform well in all departments of the game in the future despite not having a good start in the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sunrisers had to face defeat by Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets in their first match but after that they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs. However, in the last match they were defeated by Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets.

Klaasen told Jio Hotstar, “Our batting has been fine so far, but we scored about 40 runs less in three matches. We need to improve our batting further. In the two matches where we struggled, we did not perform well with the bat. Our bowlers, especially the fast bowlers, have performed well. We have to score 220-230 runs so that our bowlers get a chance to defend the target.

He said, “Our fielding has not been good and our performance has been affected by this. I would give us a six out of 10 so far. We played brilliant cricket in some phases but missed important moments of the game. “Our bowlers have bowled according to the strategy but our fielding needs improvement,” Klaasen said. We have to take catches. We have to create our rhythm by improving all three departments of the game.

Klaasen retired from all forms of international cricket last year and is now playing only in franchise leagues. He scored half-centuries in the last two matches and is happy with his form. “Unfortunately we lost two matches, but it has been a good start for me personally,” he said. This is also important because I am not playing much cricket these days. I would like to maintain this form of mine.” He is also enjoying his role and responsibilities at number four in the batting order.

“This (batting at number four) is a role I have played throughout my career,” he said. In this you have to adapt according to the circumstances. My role in the team is to keep playing my natural game even if (Ishan) Kishan, Abhishek (Sharma) and Travis Head are performing well. There will be different circumstances in every match and I just have to adapt to them.

Sunrisers will play their next match against Punjab Kings on Saturday in New Chandigarh. Klaasen admitted that Sunrisers are missing Pat Cummins, who has returned home to undergo scans on his back injury. “I’m missing Pat a lot,” he said. He has a lot of experience but Ishan is playing the captaincy role well. I don’t think this is a matter of concern. Our team is in good shape.