New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi from Delhi Capitals has showered accolades on his teammate, all-rounder Auqib Nabi, labeling him a ‘complete cricketer’. Ngidi expressed that Nabi's achievements in the Ranji Trophy had sparked his interest long before they even practiced together in IPL 2026.

Nabi was acquired by DC during last year's auction for an impressive Rs. 8.40 crore after serving as a net bowler for various franchises. He played a vital role in Jammu & Kashmir's triumph in the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy, taking 60 wickets across ten matches with an astounding average of just 12.56.

Despite recording figures of 0-17 in his two overs during his IPL debut against Chennai Super Kings, Nabi remains a leading contender to earn his first Test cap for India later this year.

“When I learned I was joining Delhi and that he was also coming, I started following the news about him. I read about his remarkable performance last season with both bat and ball, which made me eager to meet him,” Ngidi conveyed during a virtual roundtable organized by the franchise.

“To hear how successful he had been last season made me want to connect with him. Upon meeting him, I realized just how talented he is. We discussed his ability to hit the top of off-stump, swing the ball both ways, and deliver yorkers at a good pace while also being a capable batsman,” Ngidi added.

Prior to DC's match against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier this month, bowling coach Munaf Patel noted that Ngidi had been spending considerable time practicing with Nabi. What impressed Ngidi about Nabi extended beyond mere skills—it was his temperament and humble, diligent nature that stood out.

“He’s a complete cricketer and a genuinely humble individual—quiet yet very nice. I appreciate being around people like that. He works hard. While we were paired in the nets, we seemed to click without needing much conversation; our communication was effective. It’s refreshing to meet cricketers striving to make their mark,” Ngidi remarked.

Ngidi has been particularly effective in 2026, mastering slower balls. He highlighted the wide slower yorker, a delivery he has perfected, which he showcased when he took three wickets against Lucknow Super Giants in the season's opening match.

“That delivery is among the toughest to execute because it requires precision on yorker length and placement just inside the wide line. It’s also one of the most effective balls since it has no pace, making it hard for batters to hit. However, it demands a lot of practice and repetition, as the margins are very close. Fortunately, we now have the ability to review wides, which helps bowlers immensely,” he concluded.