Just like the Indian Premier League (IPL), it has been a season of two halves for the Delhi Capitals’ Anrich Nortje.

After missing out the first of the IPL due to the false Covid-19 report and Delhi Capitals preferring Steve Smith’s batting over the pace of the South African fast bowler.

Cut to the present, Nortje has become one of the most valuable players in Delhi Capitals, with his fast and furious bowling on the low and slow track.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has already touted him as one of the great assets to have and the bowler is repaying the faith shown in him by the team management.

Nortje’s hard Test match length bowling on the low and slow surfaces of the UAE left batsmen gasping for breath.

After another impressive outing against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, where he returned with figures of 2 for 18, Nortje said variations were the key on a track like Abu Dhabi, which was a bit slower than Dubai.

“The pitch was quite slow, but Shreyas said it was difficult to hit straight. So we were trying to get them to hit straight. All the bowlers did a great job. We try and share ideas as much as we can, and then you make the most of it,” said Nortje at the virtual press conference on Saturday.

The Delhi Capitals bowling unit restricted the Royals to 121 for six after the team put on board 154 for six on the back of Shreyas Iyer’s 43 and a late flourish provided by Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 28 runs off 16 balls.

Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson looked in sublime touch, scoring an unbeaten 70, but with wickets tumbling at regular intervals from the other end, the Royals innings failed to get the momentum it needed.

South African pacer Anrich Nortje (2/18) led the Delhi bowlers, who performed as a cohesive unit. Avesh Khan (1/29), Kagiso Rabada (1/26), Axar Patel (1/27), Ravichandran Ashwin (1/20) snapped a wicket each.

Delhi Capitals will face Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday in Sharjah.