Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortjé has been ruled out of the 2019 Indian Premier League due to a shoulder injury.

Nortjé was scheduled to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders, after being purchased for approximately R400,000 at late last year’s player auction.

The 25-year-old Nortjé effectively earned an IPL contract on the back of an impressive performance for the Cape Town Blitz in the inaugural Mzansi Super League.

‘Nortjé has got some solid, raw pace. We feel he can have a good season with us, and add something different with that kind of straightforward, raw pace – so it’s good. He has some good skills, we are looking forward to see what he can do for us,’ said Kolkata head coach and former Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis at the auction.

Nortje had not debuted for the Proteas at the time, but has since played four ODIs – and was part of the squad for the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka.

He opened the bowling alongside pace ace Dale Steyn during the MSL – and bowled a particularly impressive spell against the Durban Heat at Kingsmead, dismissing Proteas cricketers Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma and Morne van Wyk.

‘Anrich really gets me excited. We have a rich history of fast bowlers in this country. He is not going to have a lot of matches televised when he is playing for the Warriors,’ said Steyn.

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