Lungi Ngidi is a South African international cricketer renowned for his fast bowling prowess. Born on March 29, 1996, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Ngidi has become an integral part of the South African cricket team across all formats, thanks to his ability to generate pace, bounce, and movement. His tall frame and natural athleticism allow him to exploit the pitch conditions effectively, making him a challenging prospect for any batsman. Ngidi made a significant impact shortly after his debut, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the international cricket scene.
Biography
Lungi Ngidi’s journey to international cricket is both inspiring and remarkable. Raised in Kloof, Durban, he was discovered at a young age for his cricketing talent while attending Highbury Preparatory School, thanks to a scholarship for his abilities. His potential was further nurtured at Hilton College, one of South Africa’s premier schools known for its sports programs, where he received another scholarship. Ngidi’s performances at the school level led him to the University of Pretoria, a well-known breeding ground for professional cricketers in South Africa. His breakthrough came when he was selected to play for the Titans in domestic cricket, where his performances quickly caught the eye of the national selectors.
Sporting Achievements
Lungi Ngidi’s list of sporting achievements is a testament to his impact on the field since making his debut for South Africa. He made his T20 International debut against Sri Lanka in January 2017, where he took two wickets for 12 runs in his four overs and was named the Man of the Match. This performance set the tone for his international career. Ngidi made his Test debut against India in January 2018, where he claimed six wickets in the second innings, showcasing his ability to perform against top-tier teams and earning him the Man of the Match award.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Ngidi has been a key player for South Africa, contributing significantly with his wicket-taking ability and maintaining a commendable economy rate. His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings have further highlighted his skills in limited-overs cricket, where his ability to bowl at the death has been particularly valuable.
Ngidi’s career has been marked by several memorable moments, including taking five-wicket hauls in both Tests and ODIs, showcasing his knack for making breakthroughs when his team needs them the most. Despite facing injuries early in his career, his resilience and dedication to come back stronger have been admirable, marking him as a crucial player for South Africa’s future in international cricket.
Player Stats
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 18 | 31 | 2351 | 1222 | 54 | 6/39 | 8/102 | 22.62 | 3.11 | 43.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| ODIs | 56 | 55 | 2619 | 2508 | 88 | 6/58 | 6/58 | 28.50 | 5.74 | 29.7 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 40 | 40 | 785 | 1214 | 60 | 5/39 | 5/39 | 20.23 | 9.27 | 13.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| FC | 32 | 55 | 4098 | 2198 | 93 | 6/37 | 9/82 | 23.63 | 3.21 | 44.0 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| List A | 83 | 81 | 3795 | 3537 | 122 | 6/58 | 6/58 | 28.99 | 5.59 | 31.1 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 121 | 118 | 2395 | 3302 | 165 | 5/39 | 5/39 | 20.01 | 8.27 | 14.5 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 18 | 29 | 10 | 97 | 19 | 5.10 | 225 | 43.11 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| ODIs | 56 | 22 | 14 | 91 | 19* | 11.37 | 185 | 49.18 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| T20Is | 40 | 11 | 6 | 33 | 13* | 6.60 | 42 | 78.57 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| FC | 32 | 44 | 18 | 150 | 19 | 5.76 | 365 | 41.09 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| List A | 83 | 33 | 21 | 137 | 19* | 11.41 | 246 | 55.69 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 0 |
| T20s | 121 | 22 | 13 | 61 | 13* | 6.77 | 73 | 83.56 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 0 |