Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed Anrich Nortje’s performance after 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 wicket against his name.
Prince Yadav provided two breakthroughs in a single over after Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan struck early for LSG but the home team could not keep the pressure on DC.
Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube Channel, “But I am a bit surprised that whenever Anrich Nortje plays, it feels like he’s there just to get hit. I’ve seen quite a few matches where conceding 40 runs seems almost certain for him, and it rarely stops there. He often ends up giving away 50 or even 60.
“So yes, the bowlers were a bit disappointing. The fast bowlers delivered strong spells with the new ball, but later on, Nortje should have come in and picked up one or two wickets, which he couldn’t. I think there are some shortcomings in the bowling as well,” he added.
On the other hand, the Turbanator praised India’s veteran seamer Mohammed Shami, who returned with impressive figures of 1-28 in his quota of four overs for LSG.
Harbhajan continued, “That spell with the new ball from Shami. Honestly, he is an exceptional bowler. Whenever the ball is in his hand, whether it is white, red, yellow, blue, or green, it doesn’t matter what kind of ball it is, it always moves. The ball almost seems to speak, showing how bowling is actually done. Anyone can learn from him. No matter the format, class is permanent.
“That seam position, that swing, that length, how much can you even praise him? Even today, I feel he is one of the best bowlers India still has, but somehow he has been sidelined a bit and is not being given enough opportunities to play,” he added.
Lucknow Super Giants will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.
