Arguably the most fearsome team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from the batting standpoint, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), haven’t enjoyed a particularly pleasant start to the 2026 season. With two defeats in three matches, SRH have plenty to improve on, as far as the remainder of the campaign is concerned. As pundits sit down and dissect the issues within the Hyderabad roster, the lack of experience in the bowling unit is clearly visible. With Pat Cummins not available for selection yet, the bowling unit becomes weaker. But the team’s hard-hitting wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen feels the batters are as much to blame for the poor start.

Responding to a query by NDTV, Klaasen stressed that the batters have been about 40 runs shy of their desired target in the first three games of the season. With Pat Cummins yet to be declared fit and the franchise losing Brydon Carse, sustaining an injury, SRH have had to rely on some rookie bowlers to step up.

Yet, Klaasen isn’t blaming the bowling unit for the two defeats, saying the batters have also not been able to hit the desired targets.

“I think we have messed up about 40 runs over the last three games, so there is still a lot of work for our batters to do. Obviously, if you miss a player like Pat Cummins in any team or any format, that is a big loss,” Klaasen said. Heinrich Klaasen spoke on JioStar Press Room ahead of TATA IPL 2026 – Rivalry Week, starting from 12th to 18th April.

“Losing Brydon Carse as well, after he got hit on the hand, really did not help our plans either. However, the rest of the group is super experienced, especially our pace department. The wickets have been good in the two games where we struggled, we simply did not execute with the bat like we wanted to,” he added.

The South African further explained the team’s philosophy, saying putting 220-230 runs on the board in every single match is the job of the batting team, post which the role of the bowlers comes into play. Hence, calling the bowling lineup ‘weak’ isn’t right according to Klaasen.

“It is easy to say our bowlers lack experience or are under the pump, but in the two games we lost, the batters left about 20 to 30 runs on the board. When we played KKR, we put enough runs on the board and that is our job. We need to reach that 220 or 230 mark, as that is why we set up the team the way we did, to give our bowlers a proper chance of defending,” he concluded.

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Rio Ferdinand has doubled down on his demand for Manchester United to look into signing AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, insisting that his former side cannot afford to lose the young midfielder to another club.

Smit, 20, has taken the Eredivisie by storm and has emerged as one of the promising prospects in the league. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast in February, Ferdinand urged Manchester United to sign Smit, saying he likes the youngster and claimed he was performing at a high level.

In the latest episode of his podcast, the former defender reiterated his stance, making it clear that Smit is a talent worth investing in, even if he is not expected to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

“Kees Smit is the truth, man! I’m telling you,” Ferdinand said. “He’s one you go…. I’m buying him, it doesn’t have to be right for now. And I hope he comes in and takes the world by storm. But if we’ve got to wait six months to a year for him, I do not care because we can’t let him go elsewhere. Kees Smit is the truth, man! I’m telling you. This kid… I’ve seen him play a couple of times now and that’s all I need to see and I’ve seen the clips. I’ve spoken to some guys in Holland, friends. The kid’s got it.”

So far this season, Smit has registered 12 goal contributions in 41 appearances across all competitions. He came through the ranks at AZ Alkmaar, and his current market value stands at €25 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Ferdinand’s previous message to Manchester United about Smit

Following Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Ferdinand encouraged the Red Devils while speaking on his YouTube channel to look into signing Smit. Ferdinand was suggesting a list of young midfielders that United could sign in the summer before mentioning Smit.

“The are others in the market as well, a couple of young ones,” Ferdinand said. “Kees Smit, I like him a lot. If you don’t know who he is, go and have a look at him, guys! Kees Smit is a player. He’s a young midfielder, he can do a bit of everything really and he’s performing to a very good standard.”

Smith enjoyed a breakout season in the Eredivisie last term, and according to The Athletic, Manchester United were among the clubs that showed interest in the Netherlands international in the January transfer window.