Lungi Ngidi, a South African professional cricketer, has made a name for himself as a fast-medium bowler in international cricket.
Born on March 29, 1996, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Ngidi has represented the South Africa national cricket team in all three formats.
The right-arm fast-medium bowler is named in the 15-man South Africa squad for India’s 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
In this article, we will delve into the life and career of Lungi Ngidi, exploring his domestic and international achievements, net worth, salary, personal details, and more.
About Lungi Ngidi
Lungisani True-man Ngidi was born on March 29, 1996, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler.
In the 2018 South African Cricket Annual Awards, Ngidi was named one of the five Cricketers of the Year.
In July 2020, he was named ODI and T20I cricketer of the year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards ceremony.
Domestic Career
Ngidi’s cricket journey began with the Northerns Cricket Team in the 2015 Africa T20 Cup. In July 2016, Cricket South Africa named him as the Africa T20 Cup player of the year.
In August 2017, he was named in Benoni Zalmi’s squad for the first season of the T20 Global League. However, in October 2017, Cricket South Africa postponed the tournament until November 2018.
In January 2018, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL auction for ₹50 lakhs ($78,650).
International Career
Ngidi made his T20I debut for South Africa against Sri Lanka on January 20, 2017, and was awarded Man of the Match.
During the T20I series, Ngidi was named in South Africa’s squad for their One Day International (ODI) matches against Sri Lanka.
However, an abdominal injury ruled him out of the ODI series. As of 2023, Ngidi has played 17 Test matches, 49 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, taking 51, 79, and 60 wickets, respectively. He is selected in the South Africa squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Lungi Ngidi’s Net Worth Details
Lungi Ngidi’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2025. The right-arm fast-medium bowler’s prime source of earnings is his South Africa Cricket salary, franchise league fees, and sponsorship deals.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2018 | ₹50 lakhs ($78,650) (IPL Auction) |
Salary
Endorsements
South African pacer Ngidi earns a decent amount from endorsement and sponsorship deals. Puma endorses him.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lungisani True-man Ngidi |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Birth date | March 29, 1996 |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 85 kg (188 lbs) |
| Birthplace | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Current net worth | $4 million |
| Relationship Status | Unknown |
| Wife | – |
| Instagram Profile | @lungingidi |
Girlfriend
Ngidi keeps a low profile. He doesn’t share information about his private life. The South African fast bowler appears to be single.
Records and Awards
- One of the five Cricketers of the Year in the 2018 South African Cricket Annual Awards
- ODI and T20I cricketer of the year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards ceremony in July 2020
- Fastest South African to reach the landmark of 50 ODI wickets
Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 17 | 51 | 23.37 | 3.09 | 6/39 |
| ODI | 49 | 79 | 27.87 | 5.73 | 6/58 |
| T20I | 40 | 60 | 20.23 | 9.28 | 5/39 |
FAQs
Who is Lungi Ngidi?
Lungi Ngidi is a South African professional cricketer who was born on March 29, 1996, in Durban. He’s a right-arm fast bowler who plays for South Africa in all formats of international cricket. Ngidi comes from a humble background—his mother was a domestic worker, and his father worked as a maintenance man at a local school.
When did Lungi Ngidi make his international debut?
Ngidi made his T20I debut on January 20, 2017, against Sri Lanka. His ODI debut came on February 7, 2018, against India, and his Test debut was on January 13, 2018, also against India.
What are some of Lungi Ngidi’s major achievements?
Ngidi was named one of the five Cricketers of the Year in the 2018 South African Cricket Annual Awards. He was part of the South African team that won the 2019-2021 ICC World Test Championship. In July 2020, he was named ODI and T20I cricketer of the year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards ceremony.
What’s special about Lungi Ngidi’s bowling style?
Ngidi is known for his pace, often bowling over 140 km/h. He’s particularly effective with the new ball and has developed good skills for death bowling, including yorkers and clever variations. His height (1.93m or 6’4″) allows him to generate extra bounce.
Has Lungi Ngidi played in the IPL?
Yes, Ngidi has played in the Indian Premier League. He was first bought by Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and played a crucial role in their title win that year. He’s also played for Delhi Capitals and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for the 2024 season.
What records does Lungi Ngidi hold?
Ngidi holds the best bowling figures record by a South African on ODI debut (6/39). He’s also the fastest South African to reach 50 ODI wickets, achieving this in just 26 games. In T20Is, he has the best strike rate (11.7) for any bowler in the format’s history.
Has Lungi Ngidi faced any challenges in his career?
Yes, Ngidi has dealt with several injuries throughout his career, including a back injury early on and a hamstring issue that affected his 2019 World Cup performance. He’s also faced criticism at times for his fitness and weight.
What’s Lungi Ngidi’s background in cricket?
Ngidi received a scholarship to attend Hilton College School, where he initially played rugby before focusing on cricket. He was coached by former Zimbabwe all-rounder Neil Johnson and later studied at the University of Pretoria while developing his cricket career.
Has Lungi Ngidi been involved in any activism?
Yes, in July 2020, Ngidi called for the South African national team to take a stand on the Black Lives Matter movement. This sparked some controversy but also led to broader discussions about racism in South African cricket.
What’s Lungi Ngidi’s current status in South African cricket?
As of 2024, Ngidi remains a key player for South Africa across all formats. He’s particularly valued in limited-overs cricket for his ability to take wickets and bowl at the death. He’s expected to play a crucial role in upcoming major tournaments.
