I tried to copy AB de Villiers’ shots but it didn’t suit my style: Heinrich Klassen

A key feature of the victory of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was the half century of South African batsman Henrich Klassen. He has gradually established himself as a formidable middle class batsman. “I've definitely matured a lot. I am not trying to impress anyone anymore. I think back then it was almost like I had to show off all my skills that I've got and I was also compared to a guy who can play 360 degrees [AB de Villiers]. So I wanted to show all the shots that I had which messed with my mind quite a bit. Through learning and my experiences, through the years, I've been dropped and my game was in such terrible shape that I really had to go rediscover who the real Heinrich Klaasen was. Where I am sitting right now, it is a lot simpler. Back that one skillset and knowing on the day that if I really need to, I can go to option B and C. So I think it's maturity,” he said in an interaction with Cricbuzz. 

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Klassen also expressed his admiration for South African batsman AB de Villiers. He also confessed to have attempted to imitate some of his shots. “He's a freak of nature in my eyes. The way he does things... I've been fortunate enough to bat with him. He's obviously a super talent but his brain just works on a different level. That's what made him a genius. And his areas are a lot different. There was a year that I tried to copy one or two of his shots but it just didn't suit my game. He's a special human being. The genius of his work was that he can know exactly where the bowler will bowl about 70-80% of the time, and that's not something you can teach or learn from anyone,” Klassen added.