Nortje Joins KKR Camp – The Speedster is Back!
South African pacer Anrich Nortje has officially joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp ahead of IPL 2025! The franchise, co-owned by Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, excitedly announced on social media:
👉 “Checked in at 150 kmph! Nortje has arrived!”
After facing multiple injury setbacks, Nortje is finally back in the purple and gold. His return adds serious firepower to KKR’s bowling attack, making them one of the most dangerous squads this season.
Missed Opportunity in 2019 – Now, a Full-Circle Comeback
KKR originally signed Nortje in the IPL 2019 auction, but he had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury. The team later released him before IPL 2020, after which he joined Delhi Capitals (DC) as a replacement.
It was with DC that Nortje made history, bowling the fastest ball in IPL history at 156.22 km/h while delivering a fiery spell against Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals. Now, after six long years, KKR has re-signed Nortje for ₹6.50 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, marking his long-awaited return to the franchise.
Injury Struggles & Comeback Journey
Nortje’s return to IPL is even more significant as he recently missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a recurring back injury. He was replaced by Corbin Bosch, a 30-year-old South African pacer who made his international debut in December 2024. Bosch had played just one ODI and one Test before stepping in for the injured Nortje.
Since the T20 World Cup in June 2024, Nortje has been absent from international cricket. He was set to return for a series against Pakistan, but an unfortunate toe injury in the nets forced him to miss the games. He also had to sit out the SA20 league and South Africa’s key T20 tournament, making IPL 2025 his first major comeback.
KKR’s Bowling Lineup for IPL 2025 – A Deadly Attack
With Nortje’s return, KKR’s bowling attack for IPL 2025 is a perfect mix of experience and raw pace. The lineup includes:
- Spin maestro: Sunil Narine
- Mystery spinner: Varun Chakaravarthy
- Young fast-bowling talents: Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, and Umran Malik
Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy have been exceptional in recent international appearances. Rana has played for Team India in all three formats, making his Test debut during India’s tour of Australia in November 2024. He later debuted in T20Is on January 31, 2025, and ODIs on February 6, 2025, both against England at home.
Meanwhile, Chakaravarthy made a dream ODI debut in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, claiming 9 wickets in the tournament. He took an incredible five-wicket haul against England, cementing his status as a key player.
KKR’s Championship Hopes – A Power-Packed Team
KKR’s bowling squad is now a balanced combination of spin and extreme pace, making them one of the strongest contenders for IPL 2025. With Nortje, Umran Malik, and Harshit Rana forming a fiery pace trio, KKR’s attack is set to dominate the league.
For Nortje, this is more than just a return—it’s a chance to fulfill unfinished business with the team that first believed in him. Can he lead KKR to IPL glory? We’ll find out soon!(online casino real money)