'IPL taught me how to handle a big crowd': Lungi Ngidi

South African paceman Lungi Ngidi has opened up about the lessons he learned while playing in the Indian Premier League and MS Dhoni's influence on his career.

Ngidi played a key role in MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings' title-winning triumph in 2018. The Proteas star took 11 wickets in 7 matches and was Dhoni’s go-to bowler in crucial and difficult stages of matches.

Ngidi heaped praise on Dhoni for trusting a young player like him. He also credited IPL for teaching him how to handle playing in front of a big crowd. 

Dhoni's trust "massive" for Ngidi

"Having someone of (MS) Dhoni’s calibre put his trust in me to win him games when I was 22 was massive for me. The IPL also taught me how to handle a big crowd. I’d never played in front of 60,000 people and that was a bit overwhelming at the start. But once you get going it’s a breeze,” Lungi Ngidi said to The Guardian.

Ngidi burst onto the scene after his heroics in his debut Test series against India in 2018. His impressive debut earned him his maiden IPL contract as he was picked by CSK for INR 50 lakhs at the IPL 2018 auction.

Rabada motivates Ngidi during tough times

The right-arm seamer said that whenever he feels a little down, his teammate Kagiso Rabada motivates him by reminding him that he is a two-time IPL winner.

“When I talk to Kagiso Rabada, if I am a little down he’ll remind me: ‘You’re an IPL winner, twice, and you’ve won man of the match awards. So why are you sitting here denouncing yourself?” he added.