New Delhi: Developing a slower ball in 2018 is coming in handy for Delhi Capitals seamer Lungi Ngidi in IPL 2026.
His dipping slower deliveries have flummoxed batters in the ongoing tournament, helping him to five wickets in four matches, at an economy rate of 8.04.
It has led to heightened discussion on his variations, which has surprised Ngidi as it has been part of his repertoire for many years.
“It seems everyone is surprised but I have been bowling the slower ones for years. I am probably giving it a more flight. I have been seeing the IPL trends. Everyone wants to bowl fast,” said Ngidi.
“On batting friendly wickets like these, you got to find something different, that is the only way you stay relevant. A lot of people ask me (about the dipping slower ball). They think it is easy.
“It took me almost close to a year to deliver this ball. It is one of my main weapons. It takes lot of confidence to develop that on a yorker length. When I get it right, it creates chances, that is what you want in T20 cricket,” the South African added.
“So it’s three different lengths with the same ball and the batter has got to guess which one’s coming next,” he had said earlier.
‘Don’t want to be predictable’
Aiming to bowl all six balls of an over in the same spot of Test match length makes bowlers predictable and batters prepared for hitting in the T20 format loaded in favour of them already.
“In the shorter format, we don’t rely too much on the stock ball. Guys are looking for 70 runs in the powerplay. If you keep bowling the same thing he is going to catch you at some point,” the 30-year-old Ngidi said.
“Hitting the top of off six balls, I can probably say two of them will go out for boundaries. Having variations is good so that you can fall back on it if stock ball is not working.
“If the wicket is not giving you anything, then you ask yourself what now and if you don’t have other skills you are in trouble.”
That one slower ball… and the game flipped. 💙❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/obWUbYB03q
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 15, 2026
Ngidi developed the slower deliveries at the insistence of Dwayne Bravo when he was with Chennai Super Kings, playing under MS Dhoni’s whose support made him confident.
“I was very young (21) so having a captain who wasn’t emotional did help a lot in terms of keeping calm. He backed me, he played me. In my first season I was opening the bowling in the final,” the all-format bowler said, adding that executing plans in an IPL match is quite different than training in nets.
“It (the dipping ball) is a brave ball to bowl. When you get it wrong it is a low full toss or slog ball but the confidence I have in myself, the preparation I have done to deliver, helps,” he said.
“It is not just the skill it is the confidence also. I have done it for many years. I am bowling under pressure always in powerplay and death. As the coach says someone is going to do the dirty job, that’s me. You find way to do the dirty job.”
Ngidi reckoned that bowling the wide slow yorker is the toughest and remaining not too emotional keeps him focussed on his task.
“You will see me having regular chats with KL, Axar, Miller, Stubbs (all DC mates). Just figuring out what they would be thinking as batters. That is how I play the game of cricket. What the batters are expecting I don’t care as long as I can execute my plans.
“Also, I don’t play cricket emotionally as it is a bad place to be in. It is purely if you want to call it business.” he disclosed.
‘Test match length a basic requirement’
Having said that, Ngidi also felt that bowlers must be equipped to land their deliveries at the Test match length consistently.
“Sometimes conditions determine how you are going to bowl. Good Test match lengths will never leave the game. Only thing I am saying is that variations help under pressure. Basics of the game remain the game. Test cricket has helped me in the shorter formats,” he said.