T20 WC, 2026: Ngidi says IPL helped him to shape “deadly slower ball”

Published

2 months ago

February 23, 2026

For Lungi Ngidi, the turning point in his evolution as a fine T20 bowler did not come on an international stage but in the practice nets of the IPL.

A largely forgettable 2018 season in terms of game time with Chennai Super Kings saw him end up reshaping his craft, as hours spent observing and learning from Dwayne Bravo transformed his slower ball into a decisive weapon.

Ngidi, who returned tidy figures of 0 for 15 in four overs, including 10 dot balls, against India in the T20 World Cup game here on Sunday, once again showcased the subtle variations that have become central to his T20 armoury. He repeatedly mixed and matched between wide yorkers.

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav found it difficult to line him up, often shaping to work what he anticipated would be an off-cutter through the leg-side, only to encounter a different variation.

The IPL Impact on Ngidi’s Bowling

Tracing the roots of his transformation, Ngidi said: “Like I’ve always said, I was at the IPL in 2018 with Bravo, and that entire IPL, that’s all I worked on. I wasn’t playing, so I got time to practice it. And then when I got back to South Africa, I just tried to perfect that ball.”

He admitted that mastering the art of change-ups was a gradual process.

“Whether it’s a slow ball yorker, or back of length or slow ball bouncer. So three different lengths with the same ball. I guess you’ve got to guess which one’s coming next,” he said.

Flying Under the Radar

Despite not always being the focal point of opposition planning, Ngidi believes that anonymity works to his advantage.

“I think probably just flying under the radar. So not many people pay attention to me. But I guess that helps me in terms of being able to us all these variations,” he said.

Explaining his approach against India, he said, “And then tonight, I used my leg cutter because I know that they’re obviously probably preparing for just an off-cutter. I could see Surya set up as well, looking to sort of just lift it over the leg side.”

“So just to show him something different, keep him guessing. And that seemed to work pretty well.”

For Ngidi, the spell was shaped more by game awareness than the pursuit of wickets.

“But I guess just looking at the scoreboard and seeing their position, I kind of knew what I had to do. It was pretty much more build pressure than try to be greedy and put my name up in the wickets column. So, yeah, using that tactic, I guess it worked off pretty well tonight,” he said.

He believes the slower ball tilts the balance in his favour, especially in an era where batters look to dominate from the outset.

“But I think having my slower ball gives me the upper hand in terms of batsmen can’t just swing every ball. We’ve seen that a bit in the power play. So once you have to think, I think that’s where I come into the game.”

For Ngidi, the primary aim is to sow doubts in batter’s minds.

“Once you start second-guessing your options, I think that’s what a bowler really wants in the end.”

“And then all of a sudden, once the pressure’s building, I don’t think they have an answer for what I’m about to deliver next. So it kind of works in my favour that nobody really thinks about me,” Ngidi added.

Related Topics:India IPL Lungi Ngidi South Africa

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Punjab Kings register biggest T20 run chase of 265 against Delhi Capitals

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Staff Reporter

Punjab Kings, the chase masters have added another feather to their illustrious cap as they have hunted down a mammoth 265 against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, IPL 2026.

The Kings have yet again registered the highest chase in T20 cricket ever, breaking down their own previous record when they hunted down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

Chasing a daunting 264 after KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana’s 91 powered Delhi to 264 for 2, Punjab needed a fearless start. What followed was one of the most explosive powerplay displays in IPL history. Arya and Prabhsimran took DC’s bowlers to the cleaners, racing to 100 in just 5.2 overs, the second-fastest team hundred in IPL history.

Thereafter, captain Shreyas Iyer (71 off 36 balls) with ample support from Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh at the other end paced the chase to perfection to take his side to a memorable win with seven balls to spare.

‘I have no answers’: Pant admits batting collapse

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2026

Staff Reporter

A distraught Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant did not have any answer for his team’s defence after a morale-crushing 40-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL match, other than accepting the responsibility that his side didn’t read the surface properly.

Pant’s Reaction To The Defeat

“I don’t have answers. Batting has let us down. We are disappointed as a team, as a group,” Pant said after his team were skittled out for 119 chasing a small 160-run target.

“You have to look for answers inside, not outside. We could have taken some time while batting. No excuses out there. Including myself, we could have taken it deeper. As a batting group, we have to put our hands up,” Pant offered a feeble explanation.

Mohammed Shami’s bowling effort stood out and Pant found that to be a silver lining.

“We have to look at positives. We have to keep our head high and look for answers inside. We have the firepower to turn the season around.”

Other Players’ Perspectives

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag knew that there was help off the surface.

“We knew it would swing, the lines and lengths they (Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer) bowled, impressive. The message on the groups have been very positive,” Riyan said after the match.

On his own poor show, Riyan said that he has been going through some personal crisis and the team stands firmly behind him.

“I had gone through something, even now I am going through something and everyone understands that,” he said.

Jadeja’s Performance And Dedication

Ravindra Jadeja, whose unbeaten 43 proved to be crucial, dedicated the award to his wife Rivaba, the current education minister of Gujarat, for her encouraging phone call ahead of the game.

“I want to dedicate the award to the education minister (wife Rivaba Jadeja) of Gujarat. She said yesterday that I will do well and I did.”

He conceded that the wicket wasn’t easy for batting.

“Wicket was not easy to bat because the ball was seaming and swinging. I wanted to play long as much as I can. In T20 cricket, you never know last over you can cash in and we did.”

He knew that Mayank Yadav is coming back after a long injury lay-off and wanted to attack him consciously, getting 20 off the final over.

“Not easy coming back from injury. I was just backing my strength. I was telling my partner to wait and go after the bowling.”

His celebration after dismissing Nicholas Pooran and gesturing that he is in his “pocket” was well received by the supporters.

“The ball was gripping so I was thinking whether I should bowl quicker or slow. When bowling slow, I got some hold and that helped,” he said.

Mohammed Nawaz under PCB investigation following positive recreational drug test

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2026

Staff Reporter

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammed Nawaz is under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the emergence of a positive drug test for recreational drug usage, reported ESPNCricinfo.

Consequently, Nawaz’s deal with Surrey and participation in the T20 Blast tournament have fallen through. The all-rounder is a pivotal part of Pakistan’s white-ball line-up, particularly in T20Is.

A spokesperson from PCB told ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday, ” The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today.”

As per ESPNCricinfo, the positive result first emerged during tests held during the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February to March this year. Pakistan played all seven of their matches till their Super Eight stage finish in Sri Lanka as part of the hybrid model. Nawaz had a modest tournament with bat and ball, scoring 15 runs and taking seven wickets.

Nawaz had agreed for a deal with Surrey and was supposed to feature in the T20 Blast tournament taking place from May 26 to June 18. Even a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) was given to Nawaz, as announced by PCB weeks back, and Surrey had planned to unveil him as their newest signee this week.

But now with plans falling through, Surrey has not commented on the matter so far. However, the all-rounder is enjoying a decent run with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), having taken six wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.66 and bowling three wicketless overs in their six-wicket victory over Rawalpindiz in Karachi on Tuesday night.

So far, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have made no comments on the matter.