When you think of modern South African fast bowlers, one name that often pops up is Lungi Ngidi. Known for his raw pace, sharp bounce, and ability to swing the ball both ways, Ngidi has quickly built a reputation as a reliable strike bowler across formats. At 29 years old, he’s already played a key role for the Proteas in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and even the IPL.
In this detailed breakdown, we’ll explore Lungi Ngidi’s biography, batting and bowling stats, career milestones, and what makes him such a valuable asset to South African cricket.
Who is Lungi Ngidi?
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Full Name: Lungisani Ngidi
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Date of Birth: March 29, 1996 (29 years old)
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Birthplace: Durban, Natal, South Africa
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Height: 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
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Role: Bowler
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Batting Style: Right-handed bat
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Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
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Nationality: South African
Standing at nearly two meters tall, Ngidi uses his height and natural strength to generate extra bounce that troubles even the best batsmen. He may not be known for his batting, but his fast bowling impact is undeniable.
Lungi Ngidi’s Rise in Cricket
Ngidi’s journey into cricket wasn’t the smoothest. Growing up in Durban, he had to overcome injuries early in his career. But once he broke into the international scene in 2017, he made an immediate mark.
Some key career highlights include:
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T20I debut: January 20, 2017, vs Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park.
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Test debut: January 13, 2018, vs India at Centurion, where he stunned with figures of 6/39 in his very first series.
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ODI debut: February 7, 2018, vs India at Newlands.
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IPL debut: April 30, 2018, for Chennai Super Kings against Delhi Capitals, where he impressed with his pace and control.
Lungi Ngidi’s Batting Career Stats
Let’s be clear — batting isn’t Ngidi’s strong suit. But he has still made contributions at the tail end that sometimes prove useful. Here’s a closer look at his numbers.
Test Batting Stats
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Matches: 20
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Innings: 31
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Runs: 97
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Highest Score: 19
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Average: 4.85
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Strike Rate: 42.18
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Boundaries: 14 fours, 1 six
With a modest batting average, Ngidi is mostly seen as a nightwatchman or tail-ender. But his resilience has frustrated bowlers when asked to hang in.
ODI Batting Stats
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Matches: 67
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Innings: 27
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Runs: 124
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Highest Score: 20
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Average: 11.27
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Strike Rate: 52.55
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Boundaries: 8 fours, 6 sixes
In ODIs, he has chipped in with small but valuable runs. His occasional six-hitting ability gives South Africa extra depth in crunch games.
T20I Batting Stats
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Matches: 43
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Innings: 13
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Runs: 41
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Highest Score: 13
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Average: 8.20
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Strike Rate: 78.85
Ngidi’s T20 batting has been minimal, but as a lower-order hitter, his role is more about staying calm at the non-striker’s end while finishers do the job.
IPL Batting Stats
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Matches: 16
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Innings: 1
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Runs: 0
In the IPL, he has rarely had to bat, given Chennai Super Kings’ deep lineup during his stint.
Lungi Ngidi’s Bowling Career Stats
Now comes the real deal. Ngidi is all about pace, bounce, and wickets. His numbers speak for themselves across formats.
Test Bowling Stats
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Matches: 20
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Wickets: 58
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Best Figures: 6/39 (innings), 8/102 (match)
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Bowling Average: 23.38
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Economy: 3.16
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Strike Rate: 44.45
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Five-wicket hauls: 3
His debut series against India in 2018 was unforgettable. He demolished India’s batting with sheer pace, immediately marking himself as a Test prospect.
Also Read : Shadab Khan Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
ODI Bowling Stats
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Matches: 67
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Wickets: 103
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Best Figures: 6/58
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Average: 29.30
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Economy: 5.81
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Strike Rate: 30.26
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Five-wicket hauls: 1
Taking over 100 wickets in ODIs at under 30 years old shows Ngidi’s importance as a frontline fast bowler for South Africa in white-ball cricket.
T20I Bowling Stats
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Matches: 43
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Wickets: 63
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Best Figures: 5/39
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Average: 20.95
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Economy: 9.24
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Strike Rate: 13.6
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Five-wicket hauls: 1
Despite a slightly high economy rate, his strike rate of just 13.6 balls per wicket makes him a constant threat in T20s. He’s the bowler captains throw the ball to when they need breakthroughs.
IPL Bowling Stats
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Matches: 16
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Wickets: 29
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Best Figures: 4/10
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Average: 18.24
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Economy: 8.53
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Strike Rate: 12.83
In the IPL, Ngidi made a big impression with Chennai Super Kings, often bowling tough overs at the death. His best spell of 4/10 highlighted his ability to dominate even in batting-friendly conditions.
Career Timeline: Debuts & Last Matches
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T20I Debut: vs Sri Lanka, Jan 20, 2017 (SuperSport Park)
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Last T20I: vs Ireland, Sep 29, 2024 (Sheikh Zayed Stadium)
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Test Debut: vs India, Jan 13, 2018 (SuperSport Park)
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Last Test: vs Australia, Jun 11, 2025 (Lord’s)
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ODI Debut: vs India, Feb 7, 2018 (Newlands)
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Last ODI: vs New Zealand, Mar 5, 2025 (Gaddafi Stadium)
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IPL Debut: vs Delhi Capitals, Apr 30, 2018 (Pune)
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Last IPL: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, May 23, 2025 (Lucknow)
What Makes Lungi Ngidi Special?
So, why is Ngidi so highly rated despite not being around as long as some senior bowlers?
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Height & Bounce: At 1.93 m, his natural bounce troubles batsmen worldwide.
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Big Match Temperament: He has performed in crunch matches — from Tests against India to IPL knockouts.
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Strike Bowler: He often provides breakthroughs when South Africa needs them most.
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Adaptability: From fast, bouncy pitches at home to slower Asian tracks, Ngidi has learned to adjust his lengths smartly.
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Resilience: Despite injuries, he has fought back to remain a part of the Proteas setup.
Lungi Ngidi in the IPL
Ngidi’s time with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains one of the highlights of his career. His ability to take wickets at crucial moments made him a fan favorite. Though injuries limited his appearances, whenever he played, he left an impact.
His standout IPL moment? The 4/10 spell, where he completely dismantled the opposition, showing that South African quicks can dominate even in subcontinent conditions.
The Road Ahead
At 29, Ngidi still has many years left if he stays fit. With South Africa in a transition phase, Ngidi could become the leader of their pace attack, especially in white-ball cricket. His partnership with bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje gives the Proteas one of the most fearsome pace units in world cricket.
Looking forward, fans will expect Ngidi to:
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Stay injury-free and play consistently.
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Take leadership responsibility in the bowling unit.
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Continue being a match-winner in ICC tournaments.
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Expand his T20 league experience to gain exposure in different conditions.
Final Thoughts
Lungi Ngidi’s story is one of raw talent meeting determination. From Durban’s pitches to the world stage, he has proven himself as a strike bowler who thrives under pressure. While his batting might not make headlines, his bowling spells often decide matches.
With over 250 international wickets already across formats and plenty of years left in his career, Ngidi is shaping up to be one of South Africa’s finest fast bowlers of his generation. If he maintains his form and fitness, he could go down as a modern-day Proteas legend.
