Cricket wants to go the football way, but purists won’t let it happen: Heinrich Klaasen

Former South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen has shared a bold perspective on the future of cricket, suggesting that T20 cricket is gradually evolving into a format that could be viewed almost as a separate sport.

Having stepped away from international commitments to focus on franchise leagues, Klaasen believes the global cricketing landscape is shifting toward a more league-driven model. The explosive batter noted that modern cricketers are increasingly shaping their careers in a way similar to professional footballers, prioritising franchise opportunities across the globe. However, he acknowledged that traditionalists and governing bodies are unlikely to allow international cricket to take a backseat anytime soon.

“I think cricket wants to go the football way. But cricket purists, especially in India, England, Australia, South Africa and probably New Zealand, will never let that happen. They will want Test cricket to stay. With strong bodies like the BCCI and ICC, the decision to just play T20 cricket around the world and allow international cricket for only two months of the year will never happen,” Klaasen told Times of India.

Klaasen also pointed out the financial and competitive challenges influencing players’ decisions, highlighting why many are leaning towards franchise cricket.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get into an international team, or it doesn’t pay as well. It’s obviously a business and you want to look after your family and your life, and you have only got a certain amount of time to do it in. So, it’s definitely heading that way for cricketers,” he added.

Emphasising the future of the shortest format, Klaasen stated that T20 cricket is likely to dominate the sport in the coming years, while other formats may gradually take a backseat.

“It’s probably the format that’s going to stay the longest from now on. The other formats will either slow down a little bit or be limited. The game of cricket evolves and I think T20 cricket has forced other formats to be played differently as well. If you want to grow the game of cricket, it’s definitely the format to do it with,” Klaasen concluded.

The South African is having a stunning IPL 2026 so far for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In nine matches, he has scored 414 runs in the middle-order, and is currently second on the Orange cap list.