Lungi Ngidi Injury Scare Ends in Relief as DC Pacer Returns After Hospital Visit

Lungi Ngidi was discharged after a frightening on-field head injury during DC vs PBKS IPL 2026 clash in Delhi.

Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Lungi Ngidi was involved in a concerning on-field incident during the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 25. The South African quick suffered a heavy fall while attempting a catch, landing awkwardly on the back of his head and neck.

The incident occurred in the third over of Punjab’s chase when captain Axar Patel was bowling to Priyansh Arya. Ngidi, tracking a lofted shot in the deep, lost his balance and fell backward without completing the catch. He remained motionless on the turf, prompting immediate concern among players and officials.

Medical personnel rushed to the ground and fitted him with a neck brace as a precaution. The match was halted for nearly 15 minutes as the situation unfolded. In a rare and serious moment, an ambulance was brought onto the field to transport Ngidi for further medical attention.

Both Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting were seen alongside the medical staff during the tense period.

Positive Medical Update After Hospital Discharge

In a reassuring development, Ngidi was later discharged from the hospital after undergoing medical evaluation. According to reports from ANI and IANS, the fast bowler returned to the team hotel after being treated at BLK-Max Super Specialty Hospital.

“Lungi Ngidi is doing well and has now returned to the DC team hotel in New Delhi. Him being sent back to the hotel after being discharged from the hospital is a positive indication of his recovery, and the franchise medical staff will continue to take good care of him,” sources told IANS.

The Indian Premier League governing council also confirmed that the pacer is in stable condition. Delhi Capitals chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi personally visited the hospital before Ngidi was cleared to leave.

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DC Camp Relieved as Injury Not Serious

Further relief came from Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, who downplayed the severity of the injury during the post-match press conference.

“I think it is not serious. We will update, but nothing looks serious,” Venugopal said during the post-match press conference.

Before the incident, Ngidi had been a key figure in DC’s bowling attack this season, picking up seven wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 8.70 and an average of 29.42.

Despite the scare, Punjab Kings completed a record-breaking chase of 265 runs, powered by KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 and Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 71, securing one of the highest successful run chases in IPL history.