Heinrich Klaasen's Rs 23 crore deal with SRH is proving a headache for other IPL franchises
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) choice to retain Heinrich Klaasen for a hefty Rs 23 crore has raised expectations across the IPL, affecting negotiations for other franchises. This decision, along with retaining Pat Cummins at Rs 18 crore and Abhishek Sharma at Rs 14 crore, has set a precedent, causing many franchises to face challenges in retaining key players. The retention of Klaasen at such a high figure has led Indian players to reassess their market value, with several now demanding competitive fees from their franchises.
With the IPL retention window closing on October 31, many franchises have hit a standstill in their negotiations, as top Indian players weigh their options. An executive from an IPL franchise shared with *The Indian Express* that once Klaasen'sRs 23 crore retention became known, negotiation dynamics shifted significantly. Now, some Indian players are even willing to enter the auction rather than accept retention offers below their expectations, further complicating the situation. Many players are consulting with other franchises to explore potentially higher offers.
This situation has highlighted the ripple effect of SRH's bold retention strategy, which has intensified the bargaining process and made the road to squad finalization more challenging across the league.