"I Didn't Want To Be A Cricketer, It Was A Free Way To Study" - Nandre Burger On Becoming New Pace Sensation

South African left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger did not aspire to become a cricketer. However, he chose to take up the sport since it gave him a free way to study. Nandre Burger didn't expect to play professional cricket, but he decided to pursue the opportunity after earning a full scholarship to the University of the Witwatersrand to study psychology. That decision in 2014 proved life-changing. Today, Burger, 28, is an all-format fast bowler for South Africa. He played in the SA20 for Joburg Super Kings last month and, earlier this week made his Indian Premier League debut as an impact player for Rajasthan Royals in their first win of the IPL 2024 season over Lucknow Super Giants. Burger bowled in the powerplay and finished with figures of 30/1 in his 3 overs at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

The Burger Story - From an accidental cricketer to an all-format pacer

In 2014, it was through a cricket trial that Nandre Burger got admission to the University of the Witwatersrand with a full scholarship to pursue a psychology major. He has never looked back since. Burger is an all-format pacer for South Africa, having made his national team debut in December last year. His performances for South Africa earned him a 50 lakh Indian Premier League contract with Rajasthan Royals. He also played for Joburg Super Kings in SA20 last month.

"Sounds strange, right? WITS offered a scholarship for those who played cricket. I thought it was cool. I didn't want to be a cricketer, but I was getting a free way to study, so I thought, why not? Cricket was actually my backup to academics," Nandre Burger said.

Nandre Burger made his IPL debut earlier this week as an impact player for Rajasthan Royals in their first win of the IPL 2024 season over Lucknow Super Giants. Burger bowled in the powerplay and finished with figures of 30/1 in his 3 overs at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. It was not an easy journey for the lanky left-arm pacer as he tried his hand at tennis and squash before turning to cricket due to a back injury. Burger has fully recovered from his injury. His university coach, Neil Levenson, recognized his potential as a fast bowler for the national team.

"I laughed it off at first. I was like, 'Man, I bowl at 125kph. I can't do this for a living. I've seen guys bowl 145kph.' Neil would have none of that. I said to him, 'Okay, I'll give this a go.' And within a few weeks, I was excited to train. I'd miss classes to be at training, wanting to work batters over," Burger added.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face Delhi Capitals (DC) in match 9 of IPL 2024 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 28, 2024. Rajasthan Royals won the first match of the IPL 2024 season at their home ground, and they would like to continue their winning momentum.