Exclusive: Lungi Ngidi Relishes Role Clarity Ahead of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Proteas fast bowler, Lungi Ngidi, reiterated that he has always been taking wickets in T20I cricket and that his success in India last month was business as usual. 

T20I Record

Last month, Ngidi was South Africa's most successful bowler during the Proteas' five-match T20I series against India in India, despite South Africa going on to lose that particular series. 

The records further reveal that Ngidi is neck-in-neck with the country's most successful bowlers in T20I cricket, with the 29-year-old level on 77 wickets with Kagiso Rabada, who is currently the second most decorated wicket-taker behind Tabraiz Shamsi at the top of the list in T20I cricket. 

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Ngidi reiterated that his recent success is not a matter of a change in preparation and that he has kept his processes the same. 

The 29-year-old further emphasised that his success in India boiled down to having a clear role with the ball as he led the attack in the absence of Rabada, who was out with a rib injury at the time. 

"To be honest, I'm doing what I've always done. I think the only difference is what people choose to say at the time about how I'm bowling," Ngidi said. 

"But my entire career, I've been taking wickets, so I don't see anything different that I've been doing."

"Yes, it was a good tour. Obviously, the role that I played was very clear, so that has just helped me in terms of executing the deliveries I want to bowl, but in terms of what would I say is working for me at the moment, I'm doing exactly what I've always done."

T20 World Cup

Ngidi has been included in South Africa's squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup. 

The 29-year-old is set to lead the Proteas pace attack alongside Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

Having played in multiple ICC tournaments, Ngidi told SportsBoom.co.za that he has a grip over his emotions, although he is excited to play a part as South Africa continues their quest for a maiden senior World Cup trophy. 

"Playing in a World Cup is always exciting. That's an opportunity everyone wishes for, so I'm obviously really looking forward to that," Ngidi said.

"But I've played a lot of cricket over the years, so keeping my emotions in check is getting a lot easier, so I'm not too worried about that."

"But it's always an exciting opportunity to be able to bring that trophy back to South Africa."

South Africa will play a three-match series against the West Indies before heading to India for the T20 World Cup.

The Proteas T20 World Cup campaign is set to get underway on 9 February against Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.