Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth criticised Anrich Nortje’s performance after the Delhi Capitals registered a six-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow on Wednesday. Defending a target of 142, LSG had DC reeling at 26-4 in the run-chase.
Thus, Nortje’s spell was crucial after the Powerplay overs, but the South African pacer could not deliver the goods. He conceded 13 runs in his opening over to release the pressure and gave away 39 runs in his quota of four overs without any wickets against his name.
LSG needed wickets at regular intervals after the PP overs, but Nortje could not make the most of the favourable conditions.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “The LSG bowlers were doing brilliantly, strangling the DC batters. But then Nortje, in an attempt to bowl at high speeds at 150+, turned the tide for DC. Shahbaz Ahmed did the same, and Rizvi smashed them. When has Nortje last bowled well in the IPL or in T20s? It’s been ages since he bowled well. It was way back in 2020/21 when he bowled well.”
He continued, “Last four years, he has been terrible. Their other pacers were brilliant before Nortje came in and gifted runs to DC. Shahbaz Ahmed did the same with his bowling, and these two fed the DC batters perfectly. Prince Yadav bowled so well. Nortje should have followed him with a proper line and length instead of bowling at a high pace. Nortje should realize that just pace won’t help. Today’s cricket, it’s line, length, and intelligence that’ll work.”
On the other hand, the 1983 World Cup-winning player praised Delhi Capitals’ batter Sameer Rizvi, who scored a match-winning knock of 70 runs off 47 balls in the run chase of 142.
“He played very intelligent cricket. He chose the bowlers to smash perfectly. He played out the best bowlers and waited for the opportunity. Then he cashed in on the two roosters made for him in Shahbaz Ahmed and Aiden Markram. There is also a clueless captain LSG has in Pant. So it was cricketing IQ at the highest level by Rizvi. The match was over in Nortje and Shahbaz’s overs,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.
