Call Klaasen and add him to 2027 World Cup squad, Pietersen tells South Africa |

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Kevin Pietersen has called on Cricket South Africa to persuade Heinrich Klaasen to reverse his international retirement after his match-winning heroics for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pietersen believes Klaasen’s red-hot form could be pivotal in delivering South Africa their first ICC limited-overs World Cup at home in 2027.

The appeal comes after Klaasen powered SRH to a stunning chase against Mumbai Indians on April 29. South Africa, despite having a rich cricketing history, have never won a men’s ODI World Cup and last lifted a major ICC limited-overs title in 1998. South Africa, who reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup but lost to India in a dramatic final, remain in search of a breakthrough ICC title in limited-overs formats.

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“South Africa have never won a cricket World Cup. There should be a phone call this morning from the South African cricket board to Heinrich Klaasen to ask him if he can rejoin international cricket and be a central figure in their campaign to try and win their first ever World Cup, which will be in South Africa next year,” Pietersen wrote on X. “Given the form he is in and the impact he can have in white-ball cricket, Klaasen could be the difference-maker for South Africa in a home World Cup. Players like him don’t come around often, and his presence would significantly boost their chances,” he added.

Klaasen urged to return to international cricket for South Africa’s sake (screen grab from X)

IS KLAASEN OPEN TO A RETURN?

Klaasen, however, has already ruled out a return, citing personal priorities despite briefly reconsidering his decision ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“It was a thought for about two weeks. Then we decided against it. Obviously, my family played a huge role in it. My friends did extremely well in the World Cup, I had a little bit of FOMO to come back,” Klaasen said in a video shared by IPL. “I spoke to Aiden (Markram) actually. He said if he’s captain, then I will definitely come back. But after the World Cup, I realised it’s not going to happen. So, I’m not coming back,” he added.

His decision comes even as he enjoys a prolific season in the Indian Premier League, where he has been one of the standout performers for his franchise. The middle-order batter has amassed 414 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 157.41, placing him second in the Orange Cap race behind teammate Abhishek Sharma. He is next set to feature when SRH take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad on May 3.