Lungi Ngidi is one of South Africa’s fastest and most promising bowlers. Many people call him the “Gentle Giant” because he is tall and strong but always smiling and humble. He bowls fast, takes big wickets, and makes fans proud. Let’s read his complete story — from his childhood and family to his cricket journey, love life, controversies, and more.
| Full Name | Lungisani True-man Ngidi |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Lungi Ngidi |
| Profession | Cricketer (Fast Bowler) |
| Date of Birth | March 29, 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast |
| Role | Fast Bowler |
| Father’s Name | Jerome Ngidi |
| Mother’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Marital Status | Single (as of 2025) |
| Girlfriend | Not Known / Not Public |
| Hobbies | Fishing, Watching Soccer, Gaming |
| First T20I Debut | January 20, 2017 vs Sri Lanka |
| First Test Debut | January 13, 2018 vs India |
| First ODI Debut | February 7, 2018 vs India |
| IPL Team 2025 | Delhi Capitals (DC) |
| Controversies | Spoke on Black Lives Matter (2020) |
Early Life and Childhood
Lungisani True-man Ngidi, known as Lungi Ngidi, was born on March 29, 1996, in Durban, South Africa. He grew up in Kloof, just outside Durban. His parents did not have much money, but they gave him lots of love and support.
His father, Jerome Ngidi, worked as a maintenance worker, while his mother worked as a domestic helper. They did everything they could to make sure Lungi could go to school and play sports. From a young age, Lungi loved playing rugby and cricket. Many people thought he would play rugby professionally because he was tall and strong. But cricket was his true passion.
Lungi went to Hilton College, one of South Africa’s famous schools. He was there on a sports scholarship. At Hilton, he learned to balance studies and sports. His coaches at school helped him become a better bowler and taught him discipline and hard work.
Family Details
Lungi Ngidi is very close to his family. His father, Jerome, always reminds him to stay humble and focused. His mother, who worked in people’s homes, inspired him to work hard and never complain.
Lungi often talks about how his parents sacrificed their comfort to give him better opportunities. He thanks them in many interviews and says his success is because of them.
Lungi does not share much about siblings in public, so people believe he is an only child. He loves his family and goes home to spend time with them whenever he gets a break from cricket.
Height, Age, and Physical Appearance
Lungi Ngidi is 29 years old as of 2025. He is known for his height and strong build. He stands about 6 feet 4 inches tall (193 cm). This height helps him bowl with extra bounce and pace.
He weighs around 90 kg but keeps himself fit. He has a cheerful smile, short black hair, and friendly eyes. Even though he looks big and strong, he is very gentle and kind off the field. Fans love how he carries himself with respect and calmness.
Lungi Ngidi’s Cricket Career
Starting Domestic Cricket
Lungi started playing for Northerns, his domestic team, in 2015. He impressed everyone with his speed and bounce. He quickly became one of the most dangerous bowlers in South Africa’s domestic circuit.
In the 2016–17 season, he was picked for the Titans in the T20 Challenge. He bowled well, took big wickets, and was named the T20 Cricketer of the Year at the annual CSA Awards. This performance helped him get selected for the national team.
International Debut
Lungi Ngidi made his T20 International debut against Sri Lanka in January 2017. He bowled brilliantly and was named Man of the Match for his 2 wickets. After this, he played his first Test match against India in January 2018. In that match, he took 6 wickets for just 39 runs in the second innings. South Africa won the match and Lungi won the Man of the Match award.
This performance made everyone see that Lungi was here to stay. He also made his ODI debut in February 2018 against India. He has played all three formats since then and become an important part of the South African bowling attack.
Bowling Style
Lungi is a right-arm fast bowler. He is known for his extra bounce and swing. He can bowl above 140 km/h, which makes him dangerous. He loves bowling in Test matches but is also very good in T20s and ODIs.
His tall height helps him get sharp bounce even on flat pitches. Batsmen find it hard to handle his short-pitched deliveries. He always tries to learn new tricks and improve his bowling.
IPL and Franchise Cricket
Lungi Ngidi is popular in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He first played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under MS Dhoni. He became a fan favorite after taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs against Kings XI Punjab in 2018. His pace and smile won the hearts of CSK fans.
After CSK, he was picked by Delhi Capitals (DC) and continues to play in the IPL. He also plays in other leagues like the Mzansi Super League and the SA20. He always tries to stay fit and give his best for his team.
Love Life and Girlfriend
Lungi Ngidi is a private person when it comes to his love life. As of 2025, he has not confirmed having a girlfriend publicly. He likes to keep his personal life away from the media.
He once said in an interview that he wants to focus on his game right now. He wants to become a better bowler and win trophies for South Africa before thinking about marriage or dating seriously.
Friendships and Dressing Room Bond
Lungi is known as the happy guy in the dressing room. He loves to joke around with his teammates. He shares a great bond with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, and other South African stars.
He often plays FIFA video games with his friends during tours. He also likes to dance and sing with the team to keep the mood light. Many young bowlers look up to him as an elder brother.
Controversies
Lungi Ngidi is respected for his honesty and discipline. He has not been part of any major controversies. But in 2020, he got some criticism when he spoke about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
He said he wanted the South African team to talk about racism and support change. Some former players did not agree, but Lungi handled the situation calmly. He said he only wants equal respect for everyone. This showed his strong mind and courage to stand for what he believes in.
Other than this, Lungi has kept a clean image. He focuses on his training and stays away from any trouble.
Injuries and Comebacks
One challenge in Lungi’s career has been injuries. He has faced a few back and muscle injuries because he is tall and bowls fast. Sometimes he had to miss big tours to recover.
But every time he got injured, he came back stronger. He works hard in the gym, follows rehab routines, and listens to his coaches and doctors. He says injuries taught him to be patient and take care of his body.
Records and Achievements
Lungi Ngidi has many good records:
- He is one of the few bowlers to take 6 wickets in an innings in his first Test series.
- He won Man of the Match in his Test and T20I debuts.
- He won South Africa’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award early in his career.
- He has over 150 wickets across formats.
- He has been part of many match-winning bowling spells in IPL and international matches.
These records show how talented and hardworking he is.
Fitness and Training
Lungi follows a strict fitness routine. He works on his strength, speed, and flexibility. He spends extra time doing stretching exercises to keep his muscles strong.
He eats healthy food with lots of protein and fresh vegetables. He drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially during long matches. He avoids junk food to keep his weight in check.
Life Outside Cricket
Lungi Ngidi loves spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys fishing and going for long drives near Durban. He also likes watching soccer and supports Manchester United.
He believes in giving back to society. He supports charity programs that help underprivileged kids get into sports. He wants to inspire young kids to follow their dreams, no matter where they come from.
Future Plans
Lungi wants to play for South Africa for many more years. He dreams of winning an ICC trophy for his country. He also wants to become a mentor for young fast bowlers in South Africa.
One day, he may become a bowling coach because he loves sharing his knowledge. He says his main goal is to stay fit, take lots of wickets, and make his family proud.
