Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm fast

Country: South Africa

Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Player profile for Lungi Ngidi

 

Lungisani “Lungi” Ngidi is a South African cricketer known for his pace and ability to generate bounce and movement off the pitch. He is considered one of the brightest young fast-bowling talents in South Africa and has been a key figure in their limited-overs and Test sides. Ngidi has made a significant impact since his international debut, known for his aggressive pace, ability to bowl in the death overs, and crucial wickets in key moments.

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Lungisani Ngidi
  • Date of Birth: March 29, 1996
  • Place of Birth: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Batting Style: Right-handed
  • Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
  • Role: Bowler

Early Life and Background:

Lungi Ngidi was born in Durban, South Africa, and developed a passion for cricket from a young age. He came through the youth ranks and quickly made a name for himself as a fast bowler due to his height, pace, and ability to generate bounce. Ngidi played for various youth teams before breaking into South Africa’s national setup.

Domestic Career:

Ngidi made his mark in South Africa’s domestic cricket, particularly for KwaZulu-Natal and Durban, before being noticed by selectors at a young age. He rose to prominence in domestic T20 leagues like the Mzansi Super League and other competitions.

  • First-Class Debut: Ngidi made his first-class debut for KwaZulu-Natal in 2016.
  • List A Debut: His List A debut came for KwaZulu-Natal Inland in 2016.
  • T20 Debut: He made his T20 debut in the Mzansi Super League.

Ngidi impressed with his raw pace and control, catching the eye of national selectors in South Africa.

International Career:

Lungi Ngidi’s breakthrough on the international scene came in 2017, when he was called up to the South African team. His debut was especially significant for his performance, and he quickly became a key player in their fast-bowling attack.

Test Debut:

  • Date: January 6, 2018, against India in Cape Town.
  • Performance: Ngidi made an immediate impact on his Test debut, taking 6 wickets in the match and playing a key role in helping South Africa win.

ODI Debut:

  • Date: February 4, 2017, against Sri Lanka.
  • Performance: Ngidi announced himself as a promising bowler with his pace, securing crucial wickets in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

T20I Debut:

  • Date: May 20, 2017, against England.
  • Performance: Ngidi’s T20I debut showed his potential, with his pace and variations in the shorter format.

Playing Style and Strengths:

Lungi Ngidi is a tall fast bowler, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, and uses his height to generate extra bounce and pace. His ability to move the ball both ways, combined with his solid length and accuracy, makes him a tough bowler for batsmen to face. Ngidi’s key strengths include:

  • Pace and Bounce: Ngidi is known for his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 km/h (87 mph) and generate bounce off the pitch, making him particularly effective in conditions with extra pace and bounce.
  • Death Bowling: He is highly regarded for his ability to bowl in the death overs of limited-overs cricket, where his pace and Yorkers are crucial in restricting the opposition’s scoring.
  • Consistency: Ngidi has impressed with his consistency in all formats of the game, often bowling tight spells in both Tests and limited-overs formats.
  • Key Wickets: He has shown the ability to break key partnerships and deliver crucial wickets in key moments of a match, particularly in big games.

Key Achievements:

  1. Successful Test Debut: Ngidi’s Test debut against India in 2018 was a memorable one, where he picked up 6 wickets in a match-winning performance.
  2. ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Ngidi was part of South Africa’s squad in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, where he played key roles in the bowling attack.
  3. Impressive IPL Stints: Ngidi has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has been a key player in their bowling attack, especially in the middle and death overs.
  4. Key ODI and T20I Contributions: Ngidi has been instrumental in several series victories for South Africa, particularly in limited-overs formats, taking crucial wickets in ODIs and T20Is.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Career:

Lungi Ngidi has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, where he has impressed with his fast-bowling skills, especially in the middle overs.

  • IPL 2018: Ngidi joined CSK in the 2018 season and made a significant impact with his pace and wicket-taking ability, taking key wickets in the middle overs.
  • IPL 2020: He was again a part of CSK in IPL 2020, where his death-bowling and ability to bowl accurate Yorkers helped CSK in several matches.

IPL Stats (as of 2024):

  • Matches Played: Over 10
  • Wickets Taken: 20+
  • Economy Rate: Around 8 runs per over

Recent Career and Future Prospects:

Lungi Ngidi’s future looks bright, particularly as a fast bowler in South Africa’s long-term plans. He is expected to play a significant role in their fast-bowling attack across all formats. His ability to bowl in the death overs, combined with his consistency and wicket-taking prowess, makes him a key asset in South Africa’s bowling lineup.

As he continues to mature and develop as a bowler, Ngidi’s performances in international cricket and in T20 leagues will only grow more significant. His ability to adapt to different formats and play crucial roles in big matches will make him a cornerstone of South Africa’s bowling attack for years to come.

Personal Life:

Lungi Ngidi is a private individual, and much of his personal life remains out of the spotlight. He is known for his calm demeanor on and off the field. Outside cricket, he is focused on his fitness and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Conclusion:

Lungi Ngidi is a promising fast bowler who has already made significant contributions to South African cricket. With his pace, bounce, and consistency, he has emerged as one of South Africa’s leading bowlers in all formats. His future in the international circuit looks bright, and he remains an important player for both South Africa and the Chennai Super Kings in T20 cricket. As he continues to hone his skills, Ngidi is expected to become a key figure in world cricket for many years to come.