Star Delhi Capitals (DC) fast bowler Anrich Nortje is likely to miss the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to an injury. BCCI released the full schedule of IPL 2022 on March 6 and Delhi are slated to commence their campaign against Delhi Capitals on March 27 at the Brabourne Stadium.

Nortje was one of the four cricketers retained by the DC ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The Proteas pacer was one of the star performers for the Capitals in the last couple of seasons, picking 34 wickets in 24 IPL matches.

However, Delhi Capitals are likely to suffer a massive blow if Anrich Nortje fails to make it in time for IPL 2022. He has been suffering a hip injury which also kept him out of the series against India. Nortje also hasn’t been included in the Proteas squad for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

SA’s selection convenor, Victor Mpitsang, estimated that it would be hard for Anrich Nortje to play in the IPL 2022, which is set to start in less than three weeks.

“It’s probably going to be difficult [for Nortje to go to the IPL]. He has not really been bowling much since November. We don’t have any timeframe on his return. It’s been a long one. The medical team will give advice on whether he will be cleared for the IPL,” Mpitsang said to ESPNCricinfo. 

“It has been frustrating” – Shuaib Manjra on Anrich Nortje injury

Incidentally, Anrich Norjte has been struggling with the hip injury in the T20 World Cup 2021 last year in the UAE. CSA’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra also said that Nortje’s road to achieving the desired fitness has been “frustrating.

“He is currently being investigated. He has been seen by three different orthopedic surgeons. Nortje is struggling with loading and doing most of the other rehab work. He is not ready for the Bangladesh series. We don’t know about the IPL. I guess it’s frustrating. He keeps fit, he works extremely hard. All goes fine, except for when he picks up his bowling loads. He has got discomfort. We have identified three different problems between back and hip and we don’t know which is primary,” Munjra said.

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