Heinrich Klaasen Reveals Shocking Reason Behind Retirement: 'Didn't Care If South Africa Won or Not'

Heinrich Klaasen: Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has made a jaw-dropping statement just days after his unexpected retirement from Test cricket. Last week, he left the cricketing community in shock by announcing his decision to step away from international play. Earlier this year, Klaasen represented the Proteas in the Champions Trophy, but he was later passed over by Cricket South Africa (CSA) for a central contract."

Speaking on his decision to retire, Klaasen revealed that he was in a really bad headspace and he wasn't really enjoying playing for South Africa."

"I felt for a long time that I didn't really care about any of my performances and whether the team won or not. That's the wrong place to be.I had a long conversation with Rob [Walter] before the Champions Trophy, and I told him I didn't feel good in my heart about what was going on. I wasn't enjoying it that much," Wisden quoted Klaasen as saying to Rapport."

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Klaasen said that he wanted to play till the 2027 ODI World Cup at least, he had a change in heart after head coach Rob Walter's resignation."

"We talked nicely, we planned everything nicely up to and including the World Cup in 2027. So when he finished as coach and the [contract] negotiations [with CSA] didn't go as planned, it made my decision a lot easier," he added."

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"Now I can spend six, seven months at home. My family needs it, it's been a long four years with a lot of travel. I need a little rest," said Klaasen," he pointed out."

The batter, a father to a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, revealed that his desire to spend time with his family also contributed to his retirement: "Now I can spend six or seven months at home. My family needs it. It has been a long four years with a lot of travel. I need a little rest."

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