Delhi Capitals speedster Lungi Ngidi was taken off the field in an ambulance after appearing to hurt his head during Punjab Kings’ chase at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
Ngidi sustained the injury while cycling back from the mid-off area to try to take a catch off PBKS opener Priyansh Arya. He ultimately missed the opportunity, stumbled as he fell backward, and struck his head heavily on the ground. After the incident, he immediately grabbed the back of his head in pain and remained down without getting back up.
Play was stopped for a prolonged period as DC’s medical team moved quickly onto the pitch. Doctors and the physio checked on Ngidi while he lay on the turf. His head and neck were later stabilized with a brace, and he was then transferred on a stretcher into the ambulance for additional assessment.
With Ngidi injured, Dushmantha Chameera was brought into Delhi’s playing XI as the concussion substitute. Since the knock occurred in the third over, Ngidi had not completed any bowling spell during DC’s innings where they set a target of 264. That means Chameera will be available to deliver his complete four-over quota.
Delhi were in a strong position in the match overall, having posted 264 against Punjab Kings. KL Rahul produced a sensational 152 not out to power DC’s total. In the tournament standings, DC sit sixth with three wins from their first six matches, while Punjab Kings are top of the table with five victories and one no-result from the same number of games.
