Anrich Nortje IPL Profile

Anrich Arno Nortje, a South African cricketer who competes internationally, is regarded as one of the sport's most promising pacers after earning praises from South African great Dale Steyn. The right-handed fast bowler was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 16 in 1993. Nortje's ability to bowl yorkers, besides bowling above 150 kph, defines him as a classic white-ball bowler.

Nortje came into the limelight in 2018 after he took eight wickets in three matches while playing for the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzanzi Super League. His domestic performance led him to sign with Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2019 IPL, even before his international debut. However, he could not participate in a single game of the competition due to a shoulder injury. He had to pull out from the entire competition and the same cost him a place in South Africa's squad for the 2019 World Cup.

Post his recovery, he made his Test debut against India in late 2019, which came right after his maiden T20I match as well. The following year, the pacer took his maiden five-wicket haul in the red-ball format against England. His first international game was in ODIs against Sri Lanka right before his shoulder injury.

Talking about his IPL debut, Nortje played his first game for Delhi Capitals in 2020 after the franchise signed him as a replacement for Chris Woakes as Kolkata Knight Riders released him without a game. Nortje, soon, became an integral part of DC bowling and also set an IPL record of the 'fastest delivery' to date after he bowled at 156.22 km/h (97 mph) to Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals. 

The pacer forged a successful pairing with compatriot Kagiso Rabada at the franchise as the duo took 50 wickets in the season as the Capitals reached IPL final for the first time.

Anrich Nortje married his long-time girlfriend Micaela Kleu, who is a primary school teacher, on September 9, 2020. The couple have been dating since their high school days.