Wicket-keeper Klaasen seems to have made the cut thanks to a phenomenal batting performances during India's recent tour of South Africa.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) are all set to announce South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen as replacement for banned Australian cricketer Steve Smith in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Wicket-keeper Klaasen seems to have made the cut thanks to a phenomenal batting performances during India's recent tour of South Africa. Virat Kohli's men had completely outplayed the Proteas in the white ball leg of that tour, winning the ODI series 5-1, but Klaasen had impressed one and all with some stunning power hitting.
The IPL has always been conducive for spinners, hence, RR must've surely considered the way Klaasen destroyed Yuzvendra Chahal and the rest of the Indian tweakers in South Africa recently.
Smith had been banned from IPL 2018 after being found guilty in the ball-tampering scandal that rocked the cricketing world. The prolific right-handed batsman was suspended from international and domestic cricket for a year by Cricket Australia. Soon, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also barred Smith's participation in the cash-rich T20 extravaganza.
Ajinkya Rahane was then named the skipper for RR in the upcoming IPL season. On Sunday, the Mumbaikar praised Smith's ability as a batsman.
"Whatever had to happen has already happened. It's bygone now. It is not for me to comment on the amount of penalty handed to him by CA and the ICC. But his cricketing record should be respected. I respect him as a batsman and player," Rahane said during a media conference.
While Smith will be 'missed' Rahane feels that it will put added responsibility on his shoulders. "Yes we would miss him but we have a replacement (Heinrich Klaasen). I feel it is an added responsibility and also a big challenge for me," said Rahane.
Former Australia captain Smith and his deputy David Warner were handed 12-month bans by CA for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. The pair have also been banned from this year's IPL starting on Saturday with a match between defending champions Mumbai Indians and twice winners Chennai Super Kings.
Klaasen was bought for a modest 5 million Indian rupees ($77,000) to replace Smith whom Rajasthan had retained for 120 million rupees to lead the side in the eight-team tournament. India middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane will captain the side.
Klaasen, 26, has played four one-day and three Twenty20 Internationals for South Africa, all against the visiting Indian side last month. Warner, who quit as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain following the scandal in South Africa, has been replaced by England opener Alex Hales in the IPL side.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Heinrich Klaasen")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}