Lungi Ngidi declares the 2025/26 season as his best in Proteas colours

Ngidi’s performances earned him the KFC Best Delivery, Fans’ Player of the Year, and Men’s T20 International Player of the Year awards at the annual Cricket SA Awards ceremony held in Sandton last night, and compared it to recording a 10-wicket haul. 

He contributed with both the red and white ball for South Africa, helping the Proteas win the World Test Championship at Lord’s and also becoming the country’s all-time highest T20 International wicket-taker.

"I think these awards rank close to a ten wicket haul. Being nominated for four awards and winning three, I think anybody will take those numbers. This is probably the best season I've had as a South African cricketer. This is also a massive confidence booster ahead of big things to come."

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Ngidi had been dropped by coach Shukri Conrad from the Test team before that, and admitted that he wasn’t too happy with the decision. 

In a major comeback during the WTC Final against Australia in London, he returned bowling figures of 3/38 in one of the most inspired spells in Test match history. 

He says while he might not have played every match, he believes he’s delivered when it mattered most.

A big part of the 30-year-old’s success has been due to a distinct slower ball skill he’s perfected over the years. He says he had to find his own lane within the team and provide variety instead of competing for places with much faster bowlers, which makes it hard to leave him out. 

"I figured out that if I can perfect the slower ball I can make a real difference because I don't bowl 140 km/h plus like Anrich Nortjie and Marco Jansen. One thing I always try to do is bowl accurate, and then with a good slower ball in any conditions will make it hard for me to be left out."

The Proteas have a big summer ahead with both Australia and England scheduled to tour South Africa later this year. Ngidi says the aim is to put in a good shift during those series to qualify for another WTC Final next year, and also prepare for the 50-over World Cup on home soil.