Lungi Ngidi is now stable and recovering, but his frightening on-field injury during an Indian Premier League 2026 match left players and fans deeply concerned. The incident occurred during the clash between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the South African pacer landed awkwardly, appearing to hit his neck heavily on the turf.
The 30-year-old collapsed immediately, prompting urgent medical attention. Concerns escalated when Ngidi remained motionless, leading to an ambulance being brought onto the field. He was fitted with a neck brace and carefully transported, with the priority being to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible.
At around 6:15 PM — peak traffic time in Delhi — ACP Sanjay Singh took swift action by ordering a green corridor to ensure rapid transit. The usual 25–30 minute journey from the stadium to Rajendra Nagar was completed in just 11 minutes, as key traffic junctions were cleared along the route.
Speaking about the incident, Singh revealed he was outside the stadium when he was alerted.
“I was informed that a player had suffered an injury and an ambulance had entered the field. I immediately went towards Gate No. 2, where the ambulance was stationed. Ngidi was inside wearing an oxygen mask and wasn’t moving. There was panic all around,” he said.
Upon learning that the ambulance was headed to BLK Max Hospital, Singh realised the urgency of the situation. When the driver mentioned relying on Google Maps, Singh intervened and coordinated with the control room to create a green corridor.
“Green corridor means traffic signals remain green along the entire route. We informed all key junctions, including Mandi House, to ensure proper traffic deployment. Thanks to coordinated efforts, the 8 km distance was covered in just 11 minutes,” Singh explained.
Interestingly, Singh has a cricketing background himself, having played alongside names like Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, and Virat Kohli in Delhi’s domestic circuit. His understanding of the sport perhaps added to the urgency with which he handled the situation.
He also credited the preparedness of the Delhi Police for the quick response.
“We are trained to create green corridors at short notice. The credit goes to our senior officials and the system in place,” Singh added.
Ngidi’s condition has since stabilised, but the swift and coordinated response ensured he received timely medical care, turning a moment of panic into one of efficient emergency action.
