In the third over of Punjab Kings chase, Ngidi fell backwards while trying to catch Priyansh Arya at mid-off, banging his head hard into the turf. He clutched his head immediately and lay on the ground as medical staff rushed in. Play was halted for 15 minutes before Ngidi was stretchered into an ambulance, amidst players, coaches and medical staff having tense expressions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cStill, I think it is not serious. He is still in the hospital. We will update, but nothing serious,\u201d Rao said after the game ended. On the confusion around concussion substitution, where Dushmantha Chameera was named first and later replaced by Vipraj Nigam, Rao clarified, \u201cOnly four overseas players are allowed. There is a rule. We cannot take a fifth overseas player. Simple.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He stressed that player safety remained paramount, even as Ngidi\u2019s absence meant DC couldn\u2019t defend 264\/2. \u201cFirst of all, player safety is always important. Whatever happens, we play this game, but safety comes first. When we see this kind of scoreboard, we missed his 24 balls, four overs, it makes a difference. We hope Lungi Ngidi recovers fast and comes back. I cannot comment on more right now.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab Kings\u2019 leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also expressed concern and hoped for a speedy recovery for Ngidi. \"That time I was sitting upstairs. Definitely, it feels bad if someone has an injury, especially, head injuries are always very dangerous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHopefully, he will get well soon because even yesterday, I think, a net bowler got hit by a ball and was taken to hospital. So, whenever these things happen, obviously, everyone feels bad. We just want him to get well soon and come back to the ground,\u201d Chahal said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab Kings\u2019 leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also expressed concern and hoped for a speedy recovery for Ngidi. \"That time I was sitting upstairs. Definitely, it feels bad if someone has an injury, especially, head injuries are always very dangerous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi Capitals had posted 264\/2 on the back of KL Rahul\u2019s unbeaten 152, but Punjab Kings chased it down with seven balls to spare, registering the highest successful chase in IPL history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n