Anrich Nortje is excited to be back with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025, and the South African pacer is eager to unleash his fiery pace at the Eden Gardens. Speaking about his return to the franchise for the first time since 2019, Nortje expressed his enthusiasm and mentioned he’s taking a measured approach to his preparations.

“It feels great to be back, finally. KKR were the first team to support me, so it’s wonderful to be here again,” Nortje reflected on his return.

He shared his appreciation for the atmosphere at Eden Gardens and highlighted how special it is to play in Kolkata. “I’m really looking forward to getting started. What a place to be, with 65,000 fans cheering and creating such an electric environment. It’s a beautiful venue, and it’s amazing to play here,” he said.

Nortje explained how the support of such an energetic crowd is a huge motivator for players, pushing them to perform at their best on the field. “I’m thrilled to be here and can’t wait for the first match to begin. The main focus right now is to ensure proper preparation, but it’s fantastic to soak in the atmosphere and build towards a successful season.”

While acknowledging his ability to bowl at high speeds, the Protea bowler stressed the importance of gradually increasing his intensity.

When asked about his readiness after a high-speed training session, Nortje said, “For now, it’s all about taking it easy, just building up. But yeah, we can’t wait to see all of you at the stadium. It’s already amazing to see some fans out here at training.”