Full Name: Lungisani True-man Ngidi Date of Birth: March 29, 1996 Birthplace: Durban, South Africa Role: Right-Arm Fast-Medium Bowler | Strike Bowler in Limited-Overs Cricket Lungi Ngidi is the quiet destroyer of South African cricket. With his towering frame, deceptive pace, and deadly accuracy, Ngidi brings both menace and maturity to the Proteas pace attack. Behind the shy smile is a fierce competitor who’s worked hard to rise from modest beginnings to become one of South Africa’s most valuable fast bowlers. Born in Durban and raised in Kloof, Ngidi’s story is as inspiring as his bowling spells. He grew up in a household where education and hard work were paramount—his mother was a domestic worker, and his father a maintenance worker. Cricket wasn’t always easily accessible, but Lungi's talent was impossible to ignore. He gained recognition while studying at Hilton College on a scholarship and later represented Tuks (University of Pretoria) in varsity cricket. Ngidi made headlines during his international T20 debut in 2017, claiming man-of-the-match honours against Sri Lanka. A year later, he stormed into Test cricket with a 6-wicket haul at Centurion, helping dismantle India’s famed batting lineup. Since then, he’s been a core figure in white-ball cricket, offering South Africa control and breakthroughs during the crucial powerplays and death overs. Career highlights include: - Over 80 ODI wickets at an average under 30 - Nearly 70 T20I wickets, known for his tight economy at the death - Multiple four and five-wicket hauls across formats - Impressive IPL stints with Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and San Francisco Unicorns (MLC) - Part of South Africa’s T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup squads Ngidi’s strength lies in his versatility. He can swing the new ball, hit the hard lengths, and unleash nasty slower balls and yorkers in T20 cricket. His calmness under pressure and ability to strike when it matters make him a reliable match-winner. Despite injury setbacks throughout his career, Lungi has always returned stronger—mentally and physically. Off the field, he is thoughtful, humble, and vocal about the importance of representation and transformation in South African cricket. With jersey number 22, Lungi Ngidi symbolizes both hope and hard work—a fast bowler with a heart full of dreams, a mind tuned to excellence, and a future still bursting with potential.