South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen hopeful of making first Test appearance in India series

Klaasen, who made his international debut in February 2018, has since featured in 14 one-day internationals and nine Twenty20 Internationals, averaging just over 22 in both the formats. He hasn't been able to nail down a place for himself in the XI, and last made an appearance for South Africa in a T20I against Pakistan at home this year in February.

However, he was named in the team's Test squad as a replacement for the injured Rudi Second. He is also a part of the South Africa A squad playing five 50-over games and two four-day games against India A ahead of the Test and T20I series, and wants to make the most of his opportunities to press for a regular spot in the line-up.

The 28-year-old scored a 43-ball 58 in the first one-day game against India A. Knowing that the retirements of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla have opened up slots in the middle order in Tests, he is keen to keep the runs coming.

"The retirements have opened up a few places in the middle order. There is healthy competition, but I am not too worried. I will do the best I can in the one-dayers against India A and hopefully find a place in the Test team."

Opening up about his journey, Klaasen explained how, after losing his touch, playing in Canada's domestic T20 tournament motivated him to start "loving the game again".

"The last one year was really tough for me," he admitted. "I was in and out of the team and my form wasn't great. I wasn't enjoying the game. Being to Canada, I had a couple of big conversations with some big players involved there and suddenly I started loving the game again.

"Now I am not worried about selection or where I play and what I play. As long as I am enjoying the game I am playing at this level I am happy."