Delhi Capitals might have to start their IPL 15 campaign without the services of their premier pacer Anrich Nortje. The Proteas speedster is recovering from a persistent hip injury and is unlikely to be available for the upcoming IPL season. Previously, Nortje was ruled out in the home series against India and the Tour of New Zealand.
South Africa will host Bangladesh for a 3 match ODI series on their home soil but Anrich Nortje will miss that series as well. The quick’s fate is definitely hanging in uncertainty as he has been out of practice since November last year.
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“It’s probably going to be difficult [for Nortje to go to the IPL]. He has not really been bowling much since November. We don’t have any timeframe on his return. It’s been a long one. The medical team will give advice on whether he will be cleared for the IPL,”
Victor Mpitsang, Selection convenor of CSA
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DC retained the Proteas fast bowler ahead of the mega auctions of 2022. His stellar performance in the IPL bolstered the team’s pace attack in crunch situations. After DC released his Proteas counterpart Rabada, the feisty 28-year old was the next man in line to spearhead the bowling unit of the Capitals. Surely the absence of Nortje will hurt the franchise’s chances in IPL 15. The Indian seamers like Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed will now have a bigger challenge to tackle. The team management will also bank heavily on its overseas options like Mustafizur Rahman and Mitchell Marsh.
