{"id":7477,"date":"2026-05-04T16:51:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/munaf-patel-confirms-lungi-ngidi-fitness-for-dc-vs-csk-ipl-2026-return"},"modified":"2026-05-04T16:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:51:33","slug":"munaf-patel-confirms-lungi-ngidi-fitness-for-dc-vs-csk-ipl-2026-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/munaf-patel-confirms-lungi-ngidi-fitness-for-dc-vs-csk-ipl-2026-return","title":{"rendered":"Munaf Patel confirms Lungi Ngidi fitness for DC vs CSK IPL 2026 return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel said on Monday that Lungi Ngidi is fit to return after recovering from a head injury picked up during the side\u2019s match at home against Punjab Kings on April 25. Ngidi\u2019s setback had forced him to leave the field on a stretcher, with the pacer later requiring hospitalisation following the incident.<\/p>\n

Ngidi\u2019s injury and recovery timeline<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. The incident occurred in the third over of Punjab Kings\u2019 innings, when Ngidi was fielding behind the play and Axar Patel delivered the ball.<\/li>\n
  2. Ngidi attempted to take a catch off a shot played by Priyansh Arya, but he lost full control while moving back to track the ball.<\/li>\n
  3. He stretched to make contact, could not get a touch, and then fell, landing on his head.<\/li>\n
  4. Play was halted for more than ten minutes, and Vipraj Nigam was brought in as a concussion substitute.<\/li>\n
  5. Patel later clarified that Ngidi missed matches due to the mandatory recovery window, rather than any lack of fitness.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cEveryone is fit. Lungi is fit. He didn\u2019t play two games because of the criterion of six days\u2019 rest,\u201d Patel said ahead of Delhi Capitals\u2019 match against Chennai Super Kings.<\/p>\n

    Patel also indicated that Ngidi\u2019s return will add depth to Delhi\u2019s bowling options. In addition, Mitchell Starc has joined the squad and played his opening match of the season against Rajasthan Royals.<\/p>\n

    Starc\u2019s impact and Delhi\u2019s bowling approach<\/h2>\n

    In the April 25 game versus Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals were not able to defend a total of 264, which ultimately became a record chase. Patel suggested that Starc\u2019s arrival can help the team in crucial phases, especially early in innings.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen there is a wicket-taking bowler in the PowerPlay, the whole scenario changes. 220 or 230 is being chased because you are not able to take wickets in the PowerPlay,\u201d Patel said. \u201cWhen the main bowler is there and takes a few wickets in the PowerPlay, it makes a big difference. Bowling in partnerships was missing, but that has been added now.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Selection explanation: David Miller\u2019s absence<\/h2>\n

    Patel also addressed why David Miller was not included in the playing XI for the previous match. He explained the overseas player limits and the need to balance roles in the batting order.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou can only fit in four foreigners in the XI. Sahil was injured, so we needed an opener and we thought of giving Pathum another chance. We had to play two overseas fast bowlers. So only one between Pathum and Miller could play. We went with Pathum because an opener was required,\u201d Patel said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel said on Monday that Lungi Ngidi is fit to return after recovering from a head injury picked up during…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Munaf Patel: Lungi Ngidi Fit for DC vs CSK IPL Return","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Munaf Patel confirms Lungi Ngidi is fit after his head injury, clearing the way for his IPL 2026 return as DC gear up for CSK.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\nMunaf Patel: Lungi Ngidi Fit for DC vs CSK IPL Return<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Munaf Patel confirms Lungi Ngidi is fit after his head injury, clearing the way for his IPL 2026 return as DC gear up for CSK.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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