Anrich Nortje of Delhi Capitals bowled the fastest delivery in IPL 2020 as he clocked over 156 kmph in the clash against Rajasthan Royals in Dubai. Delhi Capitals won the game by 13 runs and went to the top of the points table while Rajasthan Royals remained in seventh position with their play-off chances taking a big hit.
Anrich Nortje was in sensational form in the IPL 2020 clash between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The stadium, which is dubbed the ‘Ring of Fire’, witnessed one of the most hostile spells in this tournament and it was Nortje who provided thrills to millions of fans watching on television. The South African pacer, who was a replacement for Chris Woakes before the start of IPL 2020, repaid the faith of the Delhi Capitals management with a sensational spell of 4-0-33-2 that saw him getting the big wickets of Jos Buttler and Robin Uthappa.
However, it was his speed that caught the attention of many cricket experts and analysis. Nortje clocked speeds in excess of 150 kmph for most of his four-over spell. Following the match, Virender Sehwag, the former India opener in his witty style remarked, “Nortje was so fast that if batsmen blinked, they would miss the ball.” In fact, in the entire IPL 2020, he has bowled the top five fastest deliveries of the tournament and all came in the match which was played on Wednesday. His top speeds were 156.22 kph, 155.21 kph, 154.74 kph, 154.21 kph, 153.72 kph
It was his battle with Jos Buttler that set-up the epic clash. In the third over of the Rajasthan Royals’ chase, Buttler was facing Nortje and the bowler was cranking the speed up to 152 kmph. In the fourth ball, Nortje bowled a 156.2 kmph delivery, almost 98 miles per hour and Buttler lapped it over short fine for a boundary. The 156.2 kmph delivery was the fastest in IPL 2020. However, on the next ball, which was 155 kmph, Buttler was beaten for pace and cleaned up as Nortje had his revenge.
Superb in death overs
Nortje came back to bowl in the 18th over as Rajasthan Royals were making good progress. The South African pacer dented Steve Smith’s side by getting rid of Robin Uthappa with a 150 kmph yorker and Rajasthan Royals never recovered. Combined with Kagiso Rabada, Nortje and Delhi Capitals restricted Rajasthan Royals to just 26 runs in the last five overs, which included only three boundaries as Delhi Capitals surged to the top of the table with this 13-run win.
Nortje was given the Man of the Match award for his sensational bowling and he said he had been feeling it for the last few days (urge to bowl fast). “Been feeling it the last few days. Nice to see some results. Buttler played them really well. Maybe I was a touch too full. Didn't expect him to go for a six first ball. Maybe he was expecting something else off that delivery. Stuck to my strength and paid off. Didn't expect the second ramp. Luckily I stuck to it. We've got a good coach in Ryan. Lovely working with KG. Tushar has been working in the nets. Enjoying my experience with them. Doesn't look like it but it's nerve-wracking. Better to be on the field than on the other side,” Nortje said.
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 "Anrich Nortje DC")
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