IPL 2022: Delhi Capitals pacer Anrich Nortje to be available for selection from April 7

Anrich Nortje, who was retained by the Delhi Capitals at a fee of INR 6.5 crore, is set to miss the initial stage of IPL 2022 due to his injury. There were also talks about him missing out on the whole season this year. But the South African pacer has joined his franchise team on Sunday (March 20) and will be ready to play at the end of the first week of April.

He has been with the Capitals since the 2020 season when the team roped him in at his base price of INR 50 lakhs. He holds the record for bowling the fastest ball in the history of the Indian Premier League, as the ball traveled at a speed of 156.22 KMPH. He picked up the Rajasthan Royals batter Jos Buttler’s wicket on this record-breaking ball. In fact, the top-five fastest deliveries in the year 2020 were all registered in Nortje’s name.

Anrich Nortje reached Mumbai to join the Delhi Capitals squad

As per a report by Cricbuzz, it is understood that the Proteas player will be available for the 15th edition of the IPL from April 7, and will be a part of the squad from the team’s third game onwards. Delhi Capitals will lock horns with Lucknow Super Giants in their third game of the season at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. He’s currently undergoing the quarantine period and will be hitting the nets soon.

Nortje has not played an international match since November 2021 owing to his injury, the nature of which is still unknown. As a result, he wasn’t seen in the South African squad in their recent international games. The South African team is currently involved in a white-ball series against Bangladesh, which will be followed by a two-match Test series. However, the players can join their franchise at the IPL if they wish to, as the CSA has given complete liberty to its players to make the choice.

The 15th edition of the IPL begins on 26th March 2022 as the 2021 finalists – Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders – face each other in the season opener at the Wankhede Stadium. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, will be starting their campaign on the second day when they lock horns with five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.