South Africa Vs India, 2018: Lungi Ngidi savours six-for in Centurion

After South Africa wrapped the series 2-0 with one-to-go at Wanderers in Johannesburg on January 24, the debutant lanky fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was over the moon – to bag the five-wicket haul in the second innings on day five of the penultimate Centurion Test as India was humbled by 135 runs owing to yet another batting failure.

“There was a bit of movement off the deck and one nipped in and got the wicket. It wasn’t the fastest Centurion pitch. Adapting to conditions was important,” animated Ngidi said in a post-match presentation while talking to Shaun Pollock.

Lungi has registered the Test career-best figures of six for 39 which handed the easiest victory to the hosts led by Faf du Plessis.

Sensational Ngidi, who was named Man of the Match for his brilliance which simultaneously saw him delivering big at home with never say attitude before the stadium chants ‘Lungi, Lungi’.

“The moment hasn’t really sunk in. I am very chuffed with my performance and I’m very happy at the moment,” Ngidi added.

The 21-year-old Durban-born Ngidi bagged six wickets in the second innings which further saw him conceding 39 runs in 12.2 over.

Known for his hard work, Ngidi finished the match figures of seven for 90 in 26.2 overs which included the big scalp of Team India skipper Virat Kohli.

While citing regarding the surface, Ngidi remarked they had worked hard to contain Indian batsman while adding they have succeeded in the plan

“We had to deal with the conditions we were given. We pretty much put them under pressure, tried to keep them quiet and that worked,” Ngidi maintained.

Moreover, Ngidi bagged four wickets on the fifth day which included Parthiv Patel, Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya after dismissing opener KL Rahul and Kohli in the evening session on day four.

Interestingly, Ngidi was playing at his home ground which further saw him bowling his heart out in the second Test of the ongoing Sunfoil Test series.

Ngidi has been sensational with the red-ball, particularly which further saw him being giving his best on his maiden appearance.

“Been a quick turnaround for me. I was in good nick in franchise cricket. I came out here to try pretty much what I could do. The support was great at my home ground. It’s a great moment. I tried to keep it simple: hang it outside off.”

India was folded on 151 in 50 overs after resuming from the overnight score of 35 for three in 23 overs.

For India, Rohit Sharma scored 74-ball 47, and Mohammed Shami registered 24-balls 28.

Reflecting on the eighth wicket, Shami alongside Rohit tried to shift the gears, but that was not enough as the crucial 54-run partnership came to an end in 48th over when AB de Villiers completed a remarkable catch while diving forward before jumping in joy.

Follow India’s tour of South Africa: SA Vs. IND, 2018