DC vs PBKS: Lungi Ngidi was forced off the field. (Image: Reuters)

Lungi Ngidi stable after nasty head injury, set to be discharged from hospital soon

DC vs PBKS: Lungi Ngidi is stable and set to be discharged after being taken to hospital with head and neck pain following a nasty fall during Delhi Capitals' IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings.

25 Apr 2026, 14:23 by Amar Sunil Panicker · India Today

In Short

Lungi Ngidi stable after scary on-field fall against Punjab Kings
DC pacer taken to hospital after sustaining nasty injury
Vipraj Nigam came in as Delhi’s concussion substitute

Lungisani Ngidi is stable and set to be discharged from hospital after suffering a frightening head injury during Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.

DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: Updates | Scorecard

The South African fast bowler was taken off the field in an ambulance after hitting the back of his head on the ground while attempting to take a catch during Punjab’s chase. The incident unfolded early in the innings and brought immediate concern, with players and medical staff quickly realising the seriousness of the fall.

NGIDI TAKEN OFF IN AMBULANCE

Ngidi had moved in to complete what looked like a routine chance after Punjab batter Priyansh Arya miscued a delivery high into the air. Stationed in the deep, the Delhi Capitals pacer struggled to judge the trajectory as he moved to get underneath the ball. While attempting to adjust and complete the catch, Ngidi lost balance and fell awkwardly, crashing heavily onto the turf and landing on the back of his head.

The impact left Ngidi in visible discomfort and he remained on the ground as Delhi Capitals players rushed towards him. Team physios and medical staff sprinted onto the field, while players from both sides stood nearby in concern as treatment began in the middle.

With Ngidi still down, play was halted for around 15 minutes as doctors attended to him on the field. The atmosphere inside the Arun Jaitley Stadium quickly turned tense, with the crowd falling silent as the seriousness of the situation became apparent. A stretcher was brought out soon after, followed by an ambulance entering the field, underlining the concern around the South African quick. Medical staff placed a neck brace on Ngidi as a precaution before carefully lifting him onto the stretcher.

Ngidi was then taken off the field in the ambulance and shifted to hospital after complaining of headache and neck pain.

STABLE AND SET FOR DISCHARGE

India Today has learnt that Ngidi is stable and is due to be discharged shortly from hospital, offering significant early relief after what had initially appeared to be a worrying injury scare.

In Ngidi’s absence, Delhi Capitals brought in Indian all-rounder Vipraj Nigam as their concussion substitute. Nigam replaced the South African for the remainder of the contest as Delhi adjusted quickly following the enforced change.

The incident came in what had already been a physically draining evening for Delhi Capitals in the punishing New Delhi heat. Earlier in the night, KL Rahul had carried his bat through the innings for a historic unbeaten 152, the highest score by an Indian in IPL history and the third-highest individual score overall in the tournament. Nitish Rana’s explosive 91 off 44 balls and his 220-run stand with Rahul helped Delhi post a daunting 264 for 2.

PBKS COMPLETE RECORD CHASE

Despite Delhi’s mammoth total, Punjab Kings continued their red-hot form with a stunning six-wicket win, pulling off the highest successful run chase in IPL history and across all T20 cricket.

Chasing 265, Punjab’s openers came out in full attack mode. Prabhsimran Singh hammered 76 off just 26 balls, while Priyansh Arya smashed 43 off 17 as the pair put on a staggering 126 runs in just 6.5 overs. Their assault powered Punjab to 105 without loss in the Powerplay, the highest Powerplay score of the IPL 2026 season.

Delhi briefly pulled things back with three quick wickets, but Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer made the most of his reprieves and anchored the chase with authority. He remained unbeaten on 71 off 36 balls, striking three fours and seven sixes, as Punjab chased down the target with seven balls to spare.

The win kept Punjab Kings unbeaten this season, with six wins from seven matches and one washout, while also bettering their own previous IPL record chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

- Ends