Anrich Nortje is a South African fast bowler who utilizes explosive, raw pace and steep bounce to dismantle opposition batting lineups. Consistently breaching the 150 km/h mark, he notably bowled one of the fastest recorded delivery in Indian Premier League (IPL) history at 156.22 km/h. Internationally, he played a crucial role in the Proteas' run to the final of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Across his international career, he has secured 70 wickets in 19 Tests (including three five-wicket hauls), alongside 36 ODI wickets and 56 T20I dismissals. Nortje initially built his IPL reputation as a frontline spearhead during an extended tenure with the Delhi Capitals. He was instrumental in driving the franchise to its maiden IPL final during the 2020 season, where he delivered a breakout performance by claiming 22 wickets in 16 matches. Following a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025, who acquired him for ₹6.50 Crore at the mega auction, he entered the 2026 mini-auction. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) capitalized on the opportunity, purchasing him for his base price of ₹2 Crore to inject veteran, express pace into their bowling attack. Across his 48-match IPL career to date, he has accumulated 61 wickets.