After recuperating from the head injury he sustained during a home match against Punjab Kings on April 25, Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel announced on Monday that Lungi Ngidi will make a comeback.
After falling on his head while trying to make a catch, Ngidi was stretchered off the field and taken to a hospital. The South African bowler missed two games due to the injury.
“Everyone is fit. Lungi is fit. He didn’t play two games because of the criterion of six days’ rest,” PTI quoted Munaf as saying ahead of the game against Chennai Super Kings.
Ngidi’s comeback will strengthen the bowling assault. In his first game of the season against the Rajasthan Royals, Mitchell Starc, who recently joined the team, made an immediate impression.
Delhi Capitals were unable to defend 264 against Punjab Kings, conceding a record run chase. Munaf stated that Starc’s presence will undoubtedly have an impact.
“When 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. When 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,” said Munaf.
On David Miller missing out from the playing eleven in the last game, Munaf said: “You 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.”
