Lungisani True-man Ngidi, widely known as Lungi Ngidi, is a skilled right-arm fast bowler representing the South African national cricket team in all formats. He has played for elite franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, as well as the Titans in domestic South African cricket. Ngidi burst onto the scene with a Player of the Match award on his T20I debut in 2017 and followed it with a stunning Test debut against India in 2018. His reputation as a wicket-taker stems from his skill with the new ball and in death overs.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Lungisani True-man Ngidi |
| Date of birth | 29 March 1996 |
| Place of birth | Durban, Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa |
| Parents | Father: Jerome Ngidi; Mother: Bongi Ngidi |
| Nationality | South African |
| State of origin | KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa (raised in Kloof near Durban) |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | None |
| Occupations | Professional cricketer; right-arm fast bowler for South Africa and T20 franchises |
| Net worth | Estimated at approximately 4–5 million US dollars (2025) |
Early Life and Education
Born on 29 March 1996 in Durban, in what was then Natal Province (now KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa, Lungi Ngidi grew up in the suburb of Kloof near Durban. His mother worked as a domestic helper, while his father handled maintenance at a local school. He began his education on a scholarship at Highbury Preparatory School in Kloof, where his athletic potential first shone through.
Ngidi later attended Hillcrest High but switched to the elite Hilton College on a full scholarship. There, he balanced rugby and cricket for his initial years before committing fully to cricket under the guidance of coach Neil Johnson, a former Zimbabwe all-rounder. He pursued a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Industrial Sociology at the University of Pretoria while launching his professional cricket journey.
Career
Domestic and T20 Franchise Career
Ngidi earned a spot in the Northerns team for the 2015 Africa T20 Cup, where his sharp pace and control stood out, securing six wickets at an average of 12.50 to help his side claim the title and earning him Player of the Year honors from Cricket South Africa. This led to his elevation to the Titans, where he played pivotal roles in their T20 triumphs in the 2015–16 and following seasons.
He joined Benoni Zalmi for the planned T20 Global League in 2017, though it faced postponement and cancellation. Overseas, Ngidi excelled with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, including a memorable four-wicket haul, and later with Delhi Capitals, alongside stints for Tshwane Spartans and other South African domestic outfits.
International Career
Ngidi debuted in T20Is on 20 January 2017 against Sri Lanka, claiming 4 for 19 to win Player of the Match on his first outing. An abdominal injury sidelined him from the subsequent ODIs, but he returned strongly. His Test bow came against India at Centurion in January 2018, where his 6 for 39 in the second innings sealed a win and another Player of the Match award.
He debuted in ODIs that year and secured a national contract from Cricket South Africa for 2018–19. Ngidi featured in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad and hit his first ODI five-wicket haul against Australia in 2020, reaching 50 ODI wickets faster than any prior South African bowler. He contributed to South Africa’s ICC World Test Championship success in the 2023–2025 cycle.
Personal Life
Raised by parents Bongi and Jerome Ngidi, Lungi credits their influence for his humility and strong Christian values, with his family viewing him as a divine blessing.
South African cricket Ngidi married in late September 2025. While the identity of his wife has not been widely publicized in mainstream media, social media posts from the wedding weekend (September 28–29, 2025) confirmed the ceremony and featured the couple.
In 2020, Ngidi voiced support for Black Lives Matter, urging South African cricket to tackle racial inequities and gaining backing from ex-players. Details on children remain private, with most coverage centered on his career and roots.
Net Worth
Estimates place Lungi Ngidi’s net worth between 4 and 5 million US dollars as of 2025. His income flows from a Cricket South Africa central contract worth about 350,000 dollars yearly, match fees varying by format, IPL deals totaling hundreds of thousands, and endorsements from brands like Puma and Kookaburra.
Awards and Honours
- Africa T20 Cup Player of the Year for his 2015 heroics with Northerns.
- Named one of five Cricketers of the Year in the 2018 South African Cricket Annual.
- ODI Cricketer of the Year and T20I Cricketer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s 2020 awards.
- Multiple Player of the Match honors, including T20I and Test debuts.
- Part of South Africa’s ICC World Test Championship-winning team.
