Ind vs SA: Debutant Ngidi enters record books with six-wicket haul
Debutant Lungisani Ngidi became the 18th bowler to take a five-for in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Published : Jan 17, 2018 16:51 IST
Debutant Lungi Ngidi became the 18th bowler to take five wickets or more in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Looking at India's struggle against pace in the first Test and with Dale Steyn out of the series because of an injury, South Africa decided to hand Ngidi his maiden Test cap. And the 21-year-old didn't disappoint in Centurion.
In the first innings, he conceded 51 runs and took one wicket. But on day four with India chasing 287, Ngidi made the big strikes by removing Lokesh Rahul (4) and Virat Kohli (5) cheaply to reduce the visitor to 35 for three at stumps.
On day five with India staring at defeat, Ngidi scalped four more Indian batsmen to return impressive figures of 6 for 39. Riding on Ngidi's six-wicket haul, South Africa won the Centurion Test by 135 runs and also halted India's nine-Test series wins.
Among the seven South African bowlers, Lance Klusener has the best figures - 8 for 64 - in his debut match against India in 1996 in Kolkata.
Leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani is the only Indian bowler in the list. He achieved the feat against West Indies in 1988 in Chennai.
The young Ngidi thinks this performance could be a turnaround in his career. "The moment hasn't really sunk in. I'm very chuffed with my performance and I'm very happy at the moment. It has been a quick turnaround for me," Ngidi said at the post-match presentation.