Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has made a striking assertion, claiming that Heinrich Klaasen is currently on par with Virat Kohli in terms of batting performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Klaasen has demonstrated exceptional form for the South African team over the past few years, establishing himself as a crucial component of their batting order. His recent performance included a commendable half-century against England, where he scored 64 runs, featuring 11 boundaries. The wicketkeeper-batsman has distinguished himself as one of the few international players capable of handling both spin and pace with remarkable proficiency. In contrast, Kohli has dominated the 50-over format for more than a decade, holding the record for the most centuries in ODIs, with a total of 51. He recently achieved a splendid century against Pakistan during the group stage match.

Doull expressed his admiration for Klaasen, asserting that he is currently at the same level as Kohli, particularly highlighting his skill in playing spin effectively.

"It is challenging to distinguish between him and Virat Kohli at this time. Some may rank Klaasen first, while others may favor Kohli, but it is inconsequential. In my view, they can be considered equal at the top, as Klaasen is truly exceptional. When it comes to facing spin, I believe no one executes backfoot shots against spinners better than he does. He has an uncanny ability to wait for slower deliveries and can strike the ball down the ground more effectively than anyone else in the world," Doull remarked to Sky Sports.

‘South Africa have got the wood as a genuine bowling attack’

Doull, providing commentary for the Champions Trophy, offered a keen analysis regarding the forthcoming semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand. He noted that the Proteas possess a superior bowling attack compared to New Zealand, which struggles with its death bowling. Furthermore, South Africa has demonstrated consistent performance across various formats recently, having reached the semi-finals of the 2023 50-over World Cup and the final of the T20 World Cup last year, in addition to competing in the final of the World Test Championship this year against Australia.

"They (South Africa) present a formidable lineup, with depth in their batting. New Zealand also has batting depth, but the outcome will hinge on which team excels in bowling. South Africa appears to have the advantage with a robust bowling attack. New Zealand's primary concern has been their death bowling. While it performed adequately against India, the question remains whether it will hold up on a flat, high-scoring pitch," he remarked.

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