DC vs CSK: Fit-again Lungi Ngidi returns after mandatory concussion layoff (Reuters Photo)

DC vs CSK: Fit-again Lungi Ngidi returns after mandatory concussion layoff

IPL 2026, DC vs CSK: Lungi Ngidi has returned to the Delhi Capitals playing XI after completing his mandatory concussion lay-off, providing a timely boost to the team's pace attack ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings.

05 May 2026, 13:39 by India Today Sports Desk · India Today

In Short

Lungi Ngidi missed two IPL 2026 matches after a head injury
He was hospitalised after falling awkwardly in PBKS clash
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bat against CSK

Delhi Capitals fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has returned to full fitness and replaced Kyle Jamieson in the playing XI for DC’s IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, May 5, after completing a mandatory concussion layoff. Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bat in the group clash.

IPL, DC vs CSK: UPDATES | SCORECARD

DC captain Axar Patel said he chose to bat first because he expected the pitch to slow down later in the game and make scoring difficult in the second innings. Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also felt the surface looked dry and could assist slower bowlers as the match progressed.

CSK, meanwhile, made a couple of changes, bringing in left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh. Although Chennai won their previous game, they lost all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh to injury, forcing a reshuffle in the squad.

Ngidi had missed Delhi’s last two matches after sustaining a head injury while fielding during DC’s match against Punjab Kings on April 25. The South Africa pacer fell awkwardly while attempting a catch to dismiss PBKS opener Priyansh Arya and was later taken to hospital for evaluation.

After being discharged from BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital later that evening, Ngidi underwent the mandatory concussion recovery protocol, forcing him to sit out for nearly a week.

Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel had confirmed on Monday that the pacer is now fully fit and available for selection against Chennai.

“All bowlers are fit and Lungi is 100 percent fit because he didn't play two games because of the six-day criteria. But he's a hundred percent fit now,” Munaf said in the pre-match press conference.

While Ngidi’s return strengthens DC’s pace attack, youngster Sahil Parakh is yet to recover from his facial injury. Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka is expected to continue at the top of the order, while David Miller is likely to remain on the bench once again.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w), Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel (c), Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan

- Ends