It's a question I get asked a lot, but bowling fast is not something I think about: Anrich Nortje

Delhi Capitals secured a comfortable victory over Hyderabad in their first match of the UAE leg of the IPL. However, what caught the attention of the cricketing fraternity is the impressive spell by Anrich Nortje. He was playing his first match of this season and marched the drum of his repertoire by bowling at a splendid speed.

Nortje’s bowling speed in the first over of the match read: 148.2 kmph, 145 kmph, 147.5 kmph, 150.8 kmph, 151.2 kmph and 147.1 kmph. He also looked in immense control whilst bowling and his efforts reaped him rewards as he scalped the wicket of David Warner, who could have proved lethal for the side.

Nortje was awarded the Player of the Match for his incredible spell. The speedster bowled the top seven fastest balls of IPL 2021. While, the cricket on-lookers heaped praises on the pacers for his impressive bowling, Nortje stated that bowling fast is not something he thinks about. He added that his aim is to find the right lengths and it vastly depends on how the wicket behaves.

“It is a question I get a lot. It (bowling fast) is not something I think about when I am on the field. Obviously, when you are training and are working on your strength, that is when you think about it,” said Nortje in a virtual press conference.

“It is about finding the right lengths, whether it is with the new ball or old ball. Yorkers and bouncers in between, every wicket is a bit different. It all depends on how the wicket is playing. I think it is about trying to adapt every day as quickly as possible. It is just about adapting and finding the right line. It is about taking the pitch out of it,” Nortje added.

We need to focus on how we go as a side: Anrich Nortje

Delhi had a successful run in the first half of the tournament and continued their winning streak in the UAE leg as well. The team won comfortably against Hyderabad and reclaimed the top spot in the points table. Nortje feels that the Abu Dhabi conditions wouldn’t be easy for the team.

“Abu Dhabi wicket is a bit on the slower side. We have to be quick to assess. It is not going to be an easy game, heat will be a major factor. Hopefully, we can just control our skills. We need to focus on how we go as a side. We are looking forward to tomorrow,” said Nortje.