In the Indian Premier League, Lungi Ngidi’s slower, dipping ball is still just as deadly as it was during the T20 World Cup.
At the Chennai Super Kings in 2018, the South African began honing his slower balls at Dwayne Bravo’s insistence. It took him some time to become proficient in that crucial aspect of the game in the shortest format.
Even though his variations have been a part of the game for years, the Delhi Capitals pacer is shocked that “everyone” is now discussing them.
Ngidi discussed his most successful ball of late—a slower delivery that dips on the batter—during a select media interaction on Thursday. It might be a length ball, a slow bouncer, or a slow yorker.
“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 during the T20 World Cup.
“It seems everyone is surprised but I’ve been bowling the slower ones for years. I’m probably giving it a more flight. I have been seeing the IPL trends. Everyone wants to bowl fast,” PTI quoted Ngidi as saying.
“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.”
Ngidi took five wickets in his first four IPL 2026 games while bowling at a respectable economy rate of 8.04. Ngidi believes that it is impossible to deliver six balls at once, even if certain fast bowlers in the IPL are rewarded for adhering to Test match lengths. He believes that in a batter’s game, it makes the bowler too predictable.
“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. 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.”
However, Ngidi believes that because it is a fundamental requirement, the length of Test matches will always be a part of the game.
“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,” said the 30-year-old.
It’s one thing to practice the slower balls in the nets; it’s quite another to execute them under the intense pressure of an IPL match. Mental toughness is crucial in this situation.
“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.
“It is not just the skill it is the confidence also. I have done it for many years. I’m bowling under pressure always in Powerplay and at death. As the coach says someone is going to do the dirty job, that’s me. You find way to do the dirty job,” said Ngidi before picking the wide slow yorker as the toughest ball to execute.
Not being emotional on the field also aids Ngidi in carrying out his strategies.
“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.”
Ultimately, he acknowledged MS Dhoni for mentoring him during his formative years as a cricketer.
“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 IPL season, I was opening the bowling in the final.”
