3 players who can replace Lungi Ngidi: Sportrush presents before a list of three players who can replace the injured Super Kings bowler in IPL 2019.
IPL Champions Chennai Super Kings have become the second franchise after Kolkata Knight Riders to lose a player to injury before the start of the tournament. Having lost the services of South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, CSK have received a blow a couple of days before their first match of IPL.
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Knight Riders, on the other hand, have lost a triad of fast bowlers in Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and Andrich Nortje.
Ngidi, who had made his IPL debut last year, had dismissed 11 batsmen in seven matches at an average of 14.18, an economy rate of 6 and a strike rate of 14.18. Given his numbers, CSK would have been counting on Ngidi to lead their attack.
While Chennai have the option of playing England all-rounder David Willey in place of Ngidi, they would be looking to name a replacement really soon. One thing which the Super Kings would be keeping in mind is the player availability factor. With Willey available till April 25, they would be wanting to pick someone who remains till May 12.
Below are some options which have it in them to replace Ngidi in IPL 2019:
1) Chris Jordan – Having played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past, England fast bowler Chris Jordan makes for an apt choice when it comes to an overseas pacer in the IPL. For someone who has it in him to bowl well in the death overs, Jordan might prove handy for Dhoni.
Jordan, who last played an ODI for England in September 2016, seems out of the English selectors’ radar as far as the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is concerned. As a result, he will be available for CSK even when Willey departs for England in the last week of April.
2) Jason Holder – Having made his T20I debut more than half-a-decade ago, West Indies Test and ODI captain Jason Holder has played only 11 T20Is. Mediocre numbers in the format have seen several other pacers find a place in the national squad ahead of Holder.
In Holder, Chennai Super Kings will get a pacer who can prove to be useful down the order and a cricketer who has captained his national side in more than 100 matches across formats. The prospects of a fine cricketing brain like Holder proving his credentials in the format under Dhoni’s captaincy can be significant.
3) Blair Tickner – The 25-year old right-arm pacer made his debut for New Zealand in the third T20I against India last month. Tickner emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Super Smash, New Zealand’s premier T20 competition.
In nine matches, Tickner had dismissed 16 batsmen at an average of 15.93, an economy rate of 7.72 and a strike rate of 12.3. His overall T20 average of 17.42 and a strike rate of 12.9 speaks well about his skills as a T20 bowler. With New Zealand played allowed to part in the entire IPL, Tickner can take over from Willey after his departure.
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