Lungi Ngidi closing in on 200 T20 wickets: Key stats
What's the story
South Africa suffered a massive 101-run defeat to India in the 1st T20I at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Chasing 176 on a sticky surface, the Proteas were bowled out for 74. Seamer Lungi Ngidi's spell was one of the few positives for SA in the match. He gave India two early blows and finished with three wickets. Ngidi is closing in on 200 T20 wickets.
Spell
Ngidi takes three wickets in Cuttack
India had a turbulent start after SA elected to field. Although Abhishek Sharma held his ground, the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav brought India down to 17/2. Ngidi, who removed the duo, later dismissed Tilak Varma, who played a sluggish knock (26). The 29-year-old, the pick of SA's bowlers, took 3/31 in four overs.
T20 stats
Ngidi eyes 200-wicket mark
As mentioned, Ngidi now eyes the 200-wicket mark in T20 cricket. In 152 T20s, the right-arm seamer has raced to 196 wickets at an average of under 23. His tally includes 5 four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Over the years, the Proteas speedster has made a mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL), SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and Mzansi Super League.
T20I cricket
Third-most T20I wickets for SA
Ngidi is currently one of only three players with over 70 wickets for South Africa in T20I cricket. He is only behind Tabraiz Shamsi (89) and Kagiso Rabada (77). According to ESPNcricinfo, Ngidi has raced to 74 wickets from 53 T20Is at an average of 21.37. His tally includes 2 four-wicket hauls and a fifer. Ngidi has a bowling strike rate of 14.45.