T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Ngidi’s slower ball reminds me so much of Dwayne Bravo’ – U-19 World Cup winner lauds Proteas pacer after heroics vs West Indies

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami heaped praise on Lungi Ngidi, who has been one of the most consistent fast bowlers in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Ngidi has impressed fans and critics with his excellent use of slower deliveries, which have bamboozled batters during the marquee event. Against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, February 26, Ngidi bowled superbly and accounted for the wickets of Brandon King, Rovman Powell, and Roston Chase, finishing with figures of 3/30 in his four overs.

Goswami compared Ngidi’s slower ball to that of the legendary Dwayne Bravo. The former West Indian all-rounder made a name for himself, bowling slower deliveries to outfox the best batters of his era. Goswami believes that Ngidi’s time at Chennai Super Kings alongside Bravo must have helped him develop the skill.

“Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball reminds me so much of Dwayne Bravo. The late wrist work, the dip right at the end without slowing the arm speed. Perhaps those years at CSK with bravo might have helped him shape that craft,” Goswami wrote on his official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle.

Ngidi took his wicket tally to 11 for the tournament. The right-arm pacer took 11 wickets from five matches at an average of 12.36 and a strike rate of 10.91. Ngidi has bowled in the power play and also at the death, but his economy rate is an impressive 6.80.

Ngidi’s spell played a key role in helping the Proteas restrict the West Indies to just 176/8 on a flat surface. In reply, Markram and Quinton de Kock got their team off to a magnificent start, amassing 95 runs in eight overs. After the latter was dismissed for a 24-ball 47, Markram and Ryan Rickelton took their team to victory with two wickets and 23 balls to spare.

Markram finished unbeaten on 82 off 46 balls, his third 50-plus score in the tournament this year. On the other hand, Rickelton smashed 45* off 28 deliveries.