Former Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen leads the South African charge at the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Despite Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) losing two of their three matches, Klaasen is the second-leading run-scorer in the competition with 145 runs at an average of 48.33 and a strike-rate of 147.95, which includes two half-centuries. Meanwhile, captain Aiden Markram also struck a fluent 45 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their victory over Klaasen’s SRH this past Sunday.
Proteas No 3 Ryan Rickelton exploded in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) opening game with a 43-ball 81. He was less successful on Tuesday night — he scored a meagre eight runs after MI lost by 27 runs to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) — but will hope to bounce back on Sunday against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Elsewhere, Tristan Stubbs has once again been playing his finisher role to perfection, with his unbeaten 39, leading the Delhi Capitals (DC) over the line against Lucknow Super Giants last week Wednesday.
“I wasn’t fully padded up, had to go straight in. Was simple what we needed, bat time and build a partnership. You’re always looking to score but the situation tells you what to do. It was doing a bit, swung for long and seamed,” Stubbs said.
“We kept saying keep batting normally and look to score. We knew it was one big over and it’s run a ball. The first three balls went for 12, wasn’t the plan to take him on but it worked out. I like No 6, you bat at different situations and try to take the team over the line.”
The 25-year-old batter will hope for another solid outing on Wednesday night when DC face the Gujarat Titans
In the bowling department, Stubbs’ teammate Lungi Ngidi was superb in the same game, setting up the victory for the DC with the brilliant figures of 3/27. Ngidi has transferred his good form from the ICC T20 World Cup to the IPL, with his brilliant slower balls deceiving the batters yet again.
The 30-year-old explained that he has taken a page out of former West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s slower-ball manual.
“No pace to work with, trying to do him in the air. Used the dip too. Last one was the best wicket, executing the wide slower yorker is hardest for me.
“At the World Cup, I mentioned Bravo told me I need a deceptive slower ball. It took years of practice. I’m close to 100% but not there, trying to emulate Bravo.”
Fellow Proteas pacer Nandre Burger also had a good outing for RR, with the left-armer being named Player of the Match for his 2/26 against Chennai Super Kings last week Monday. He was in the wickets again on Tuesday night, dismissing Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir of MI to help his side to a comfortable victory.
