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KKR Welcomes Anrich Nortje ahead of IPL 2025 (File Photo: Screengrab/X/KKR) Photograph: (X/KKR )
IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) recently welcomed their new pace-bowling addition, Anrich Nortje in their squad ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025. The defending Champions shared a heartfelt video on their official X handle (formerly Twitter) in which an interviewee and KKR representative can be seen welcoming Anrich Nortje in this short interview.
The video immediately went viral on social media as soon as the reigning champions shared it on their official X handle. Notably, Nortje is making his comeback in the KKR squad after six years since he was first bought by the franchise in IPL 2019 but couldn’t get a chance to play a game throughout the entire edition. After a wait of six years, the franchise bought him again in the IPL 2025 mega auction for the amount of INR 6.50 crores.
The 31-year-old looks excited to be a part of the holders’ squad and he is set to be in action in the tournament opener between KKR and RCB.
“Thank you very much. Yeah, it's good to be here, finally to be here. Like you said in 2019, you guys (KKR) were the first to back me, and it’s just great to be here again. I am really excited for things to get going,” said Anrich Nortje in the video shared by KKR.
“Beautiful ground (Eden Gardens) to be at, I am looking forward to the first game, the most important thing. Nice to take everything in for now,” he added later on being asked about his excitement to play at the iconic Eden Gardens, the home venue for KKR in IPL.
Here’s the video:
Our returning Knight all geared up for #IPL2025 😍💜 pic.twitter.com/RAVJfwZJR5
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 14, 2025
Speaking of Nortje’s short but illustrious IPL career, he made his debut in the tournament in the 2020 edition for Delhi Capitals. Since then, the Proteas pacer has played 46 matches and has scalped 60 wickets in the 46 innings, with a decent bowling strike rate of 17.5.
He was out of action from cricket for the last couple of months due to an injury; now, Nortje is looking forward to being a part of KKR in the upcoming 18th IPL edition, as he also took part in the team’s first net session ahead of the tournament.