IPL 2026 | DC bowler Lungi Ngidi stable after sustaining head injury, to leave hospital soon

The ‌Delhi bowler was back-pedalling but ‌misjudged the catch, ⁠falling backwards and hitting his head ‌on the ‌turf.

Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi is "stable" and will be "discharged shortly" from a local hospital where he underwent medical examination after he hurt himself during his side's IPL match against Punjab Kings here on Saturday.

The South African was taken off the ground in an ambulance after he nastily banged his head into the ground while attempting a catch. He was rushed to BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital here for medical examination.

The IPL said that the 30-year-old right-arm pacer complained of headache and neck pain, but he is currently "stable".

"Lungi Ngidi of Delhi Capitals hit his head on the ground while attempting to take a catch during his team's match against Punjab Kings. He was shifted to the hospital in an ambulance as he complained of a headache and neck pain," IPL said on X.

"Ngidi is stable and is due to be discharged shortly from the hospital. Vipraj Nigam is on the field as a concussion substitute," it added.

A CT scan on Ngidi has also come out normal and he is currently being evaluated by a neurosurgeon, a source said.

"If all parameters remain normal, he is likely to be discharged soon," the source told PTI.

Ngidi was trying to pouch a mishit from Punjab opener Priyansh Arya off Axar Patel on the third ball of the second over, but he grossly misjudged the travel path of the ball, which went past his outstretched right hand while he was airborne.

As a result, the Proteas player landed on his back and the back side of his head collided with the Arun Jaitley Stadium surface, leaving him in considerable pain.

He immediately covered his head, trying to recover from the fall, even as the on-field medical staff rushed to Ngidi with a stretcher.

Ngidi could be seen responding to the support staff as other Proteas players Tristan Stubbs and David Miller, along with Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting and DC head coach Hemang Badani, came to check on him.

But he had to be stretchered into the waiting ambulance before wheeling him away to the hospital.

While he was being taken to the hospital, Delhi Traffic Police created a green corridor to facilitate his swift movement from Arun Jaitley Stadium amid peak traffic conditions.

According to Delhi Traffic Police, information about the medical emergency was received during the high-voltage match, following which swift coordination was initiated. Upon contacting match organisers, officials learnt that the player required urgent transfer to hospital.

ACP Traffic (Central District) Sanjay Singh coordinated with the Police Control Room and directed the creation of a green corridor to ensure uninterrupted passage of the ambulance, police officials said.

With coordinated efforts of traffic personnel, the ambulance reached the hospital in 11 minutes, cutting through peak-hour congestion, they added.