STATS | Klaas-act as Heinrich becomes fifth SA batter to score an IPL century

Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen smashed his maiden century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday.

Klaasen shouldered Hyderabad's innings as he brought up his IPL century off just 49 balls.

He became the second-fastest Sunrisers Hyderabad batter to reach triple figures with David Warner's 43-ball blitz in 2017 quicker.

Klaasen fell shortly after his exuberant century celebration as he ended on 104 off 51 balls, having struck eight fours and six sixes before Harshal Patel bowled him.

Did You Watch ?A maximum to bring up the ??Heinrich Klaasen scored a brilliant 104 off 51 deliveries.Live - https://t.co/stBkLWLmJS #TATAIPL #SRHvRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/B6t2C4jfy1

His century saw bottom-of-the-log Hyderabad post a competitive 186-5 after being sent in to bat first.

Klaasen became the fifth South African batter to score an IPL century since the tournament's inception.

He joined AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and David Miller on the list.

READ | Little Master tips his hat at Klaasen's 'special' IPL century: 'One of the best I've seen'

Klaasen scored the ninth IPL hundred by a South African, with De Kock's 140 for the Lucknow Super Giants coming in last year.

List of South African IPL hundreds:

AB de Villiers (3) - 105, 133, 129

Quinton de Kock (2) - 108, 140

Hashim Amla (2) - 104, 104

David Miller (1) - 101

Heinrich Klaasen (1) - 104

?? ??????????-???? ?????????????? ??The world was in awe of this fantastic maiden ??#TATAIPL | #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/DwisoM29rb

However, Klaasen's performance was outmatched by a 172-run opening partnership between Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli.

Du Plessis extended his lead as the highest run-scorer in the IPL