Lungi salutes pacey Pune pitch
SA PACEMAN TAKES 4/10 IN FOUR OVERS
Fast bowlers usually have uncharitable words to describe Indian wickets, but Lungi Ngidi was full of praise for the Pune surface where he wrecked Kings XI Punjab on Sunday in a stellar display of pace bowling in the batsman-dominated format.
The Chennai Super Kings bowler tormented Punjab batsmen with his pace and movement to return 4-1-10-4 in the five-wicket IPL victory at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
“Having seen (new ball partner Deepak) Chahar bowl the first over, there was a bit of bounce and pace in the wicket. I was grinning there from the boundary,” The Proteas paceman said.
Encouraged by the bounce and carry, the 22-year-old steamed in with keeper MS Dhoni gathering several deliveries above shoulder height.
“When I got the ball, and bowled my first ball I actually saw that it’s a very quick wicket and it was playing a lot in my favour,” Ngidi later told reporters.
“I tried to pitch it on the fourth stump line, (thinking) whether it was swinging away or swinging back in, let the batsmen deal with that.
“It was a very good wicket for fast bowlers I’d say. It was very exciting to see Indian conditions offer such a fast bowler-friendly wicket.”
Lungi left the Chennai camp and returned home last month after his father passed away but has been a steady performer for the two-time champions since his return.
Bought for $73 448, Lungi said his maiden IPL experience had uplifted his mood following the family tragedy.
“It was the last thing I expected,” he said of the January auction. “I never thought I’d get picked up in the auction. But the way the coaching staff and (captain) MS Dhoni have backed me has been really amazing.
“The experience here has been eye-opening. I have never played in front of such crowds but then again this is the kind of stages where you find out how really good you are.”