Rabada-Nortje: The pace duo that has lit up IPL 2020
Delhi Capitals is soaring with confidence in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the right mix of experience and youth, the Shreyas Iyer-led Capitals are sitting pretty at the top of the table with 14 points in just 9 matches. While their batting unit has been as impressive as always, their bowling, especially the pace attack, has been a revelation. In particular, their two South African imports, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have been putting on a fast-bowling masterclass in the tournament.
The exploits by Rabada with the ball in the hand aren’t new as he had performed a similar role for the franchise in the last edition too. But it is his counterpart Anrich Nortje who has stolen all the limelight this time. The tall fast bowler was roped in as a replacement for Chris Woakes and the move has proved to be a masterstroke for Delhi.
Rabada and Nortje shine together for DC
While Rabada is leading the wickets-column, Nortje has been successful in terrifying the batsmen and sending shivers through their spine with his pace and accurate length. The duo has been effective so far in taking their team towards the finishing line by not leaking runs in the death overs. Also, they have cranked up the speedometer with their blistering speed and consistency. Nortje has already delivered the fastest ball in IPL history – a sizzling 156.22 kmph snorter!
The combination of two overseas pacers has done wonders for the Delhi-based franchise and is the main reason why the team is deemed as the favourites to end their drought with the IPL trophy this season. With their pace and complete control of the delivery, Rabada and Nortje have emerged as a messiah in the Powerplay overs and as well in death overs for Delhi. Apart from that, they have also been successful in providing breakthroughs to their team and are the go-to bowlers for captain Iyer whenever the team is in danger.
No pressure in crunch situations
The other thing that has been quite impressive about the duo is that they don’t succumb to pressure whenever the opposition attacks them. Even after getting hit for boundaries, both Rabada and Nortje have bounced back stronger. Also, they very well understand each other’s game and try to implement their plans successfully. In all, it would not be wrong to say that the duo of Rabada and Nortje is as valuable as Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant for the Capitals.
MI pacers also dominating
With the masterclass performance by Rabada and Nortje, the comparison with the golden pace attack of Mumbai Indians that includes the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson and Trent Boult is inevitable. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Capitals’ duo has had an upper hand over the Mumbai stars.
Bumrah has blown hot and cold while Boult hasn’t been an outright death bowler for them. Pattinson did well initially and now has been benched for Nathan Coulter-Nile. But every single time, one or two of them have bailed the team out of trouble. However, that is not the case with DC. In terms of both pace and consistency, Rabada and Nortje have outplayed the golden trio and have played a more significant role in their team’s victory.
While Rabada remains the poster boy of the Delhi Capitals pace attack, Nortje has emerged as a surprise package, both for the opposition and the Capitals. With serious pace and consistency, the duo is expected to reach greater heights and hopefully lead Delhi to their maiden IPL trophy.
