Delhi Police arranged a “green corridor” to get Delhi Capitals fast bowler Lungi Ngidi to BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital after the South African pacer suffered a serious head injury during the IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. The ambulance reached the hospital in roughly 11 minutes, with traffic officials clearing the route amid heavy evening movement.
Injury incident during Punjab Kings’ chase
The incident unfolded while Punjab Kings were chasing 265. Delhi Capitals had posted 264/2 after a dominant batting display, but Punjab Kings kept accelerating and ultimately reached 265/4 in 18.5 overs to win by six wickets in a match that proved to be one of the season’s most dramatic contests. For a brief period, Ngidi’s injury shifted attention away from the record-setting pursuit.
Ngidi was on the field when he moved backward to take a catch. He fell heavily and struck the back of his head on the turf. The change in atmosphere was immediate—what had been a noisy, high-scoring chase turned into visible concern as players signalled for medical assistance.
Fast transfer to BLK-Max hospital
Medical staff attended to Ngidi on the ground first, before he was placed on a stretcher and taken into an ambulance. Delhi Traffic Police then coordinated the green corridor to help the vehicle move quickly from the stadium to the hospital in Rajendra Nagar.
- Ngidi was stretchered off the field after the fall during the chase.
- The ambulance reached BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital in approximately 11 minutes.
- Delhi Traffic Police cleared the route to reduce delays during evening traffic.
Match context and standout chase
The urgency of the response was heightened by the match surroundings. Traffic around Arun Jaitley Stadium can be intense on game days, particularly along stretches near Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi Gate and central Delhi corridors. Against that backdrop, the quick hospital transfer underscored the coordination between stadium medical teams and traffic authorities.
While the chase ultimately delivered a memorable result for Punjab Kings, the night still carried a second major storyline in addition to the high-pressure batting. Punjab’s pursuit was powered by Prabhsimran Singh’s 76 off 26 balls and Shreyas Iyer’s 71, helping Punjab complete one of the most stunning chases in IPL history. Ngidi’s injury, however, became the most worrying moment on the field before the match moved to its conclusion.
- Delhi Capitals finished on 264/2.
- Punjab Kings chased 265/4 in 18.5 overs, winning by six wickets.
- Prabhsimran Singh scored 76 off 26 balls.
- Shreyas Iyer made 71.
