A frightening moment during an IPL 2026 match turned into a story of swift action and coordination, as a Delhi Police officer ensured that cricketer Lungi Ngidi received urgent medical care on time.
The incident took place during a match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on April 25. In the third over of Punjab’s innings, Ngidi, fielding at mid-off, attempted to take a catch of opener Priyansh Arya. As he ran to position himself under the high ball, he appeared to lose balance and crashed heavily onto the turf. He landed awkwardly, hitting the back of his head on the ground before tumbling over. The seriousness of the situation was immediately visible, as players including Kuldeep Yadav and David Miller urgently signalled for medical assistance.
With concerns around head and neck injury, the medical team quickly decided that Ngidi needed to be shifted to a hospital without delay. However, Delhi’s traffic posed a major challenge. In such situations, even a short delay can be critical. At this point, ACP Sanjay Singh of Delhi Police took charge of the situation. With more than 20 years of experience in the traffic department, he understood the urgency. He immediately activated a green corridor, an emergency route generally used for organ transport to ensure that the ambulance could move without interruption.
Instead of relying on navigation Google map application, ACP Sanjay Singh instructed the ambulance driver to follow his directions. Using his deep familiarity with Delhi’s traffic patterns, he guided the vehicle through alternative routes to avoid congestion. Around 60 police personnel were deployed to manage traffic and clear the path.
As a result of this coordinated effort, the ambulance reached the hospital in just 11 minutes, a journey that would normally take around 40 minutes. The operation was later referred to as “Mission 11 Minutes” and received widespread appreciation.
ACP Sanjay Singh’s quick decision-making was also influenced by his background in cricket. He had been a budding cricketer in his early years and had even played alongside Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.
Speaking to media, he said that his playing experience helped him recognise how serious such an injury could be. He recalled telling the driver to ignore Google Maps and follow his route to save time. Ngidi received immediate medical attention upon reaching the hospital and is now in a stable condition. Although he missed Delhi Capitals’ match against RCB on April 27, he is expected to return to the team soon.
The incident highlights how timely decisions and coordination can make a crucial difference in emergencies.
