Delhi Premier League 2026:A harrowing incident occurred during the 30th match of the Delhi Premier League 2026, played between the East Delhi Riders and the New Delhi Tigers.
New Delhi Tigers batter Lakshya Thareja hit a powerful straight drive; the ball deflected off the bowler's hands and struck the umpire directly in the face. Fortunately, the ball hit the umpire on the cheek avoiding any bleeding from the mouth otherwise, he could have sustained a serious injury.
Umpire struck by ball; batsman clutches head in shock
The umpire was hit by a delivery from left-arm spinner Ashish Meena. Right-handed batsman Lakshya stepped forward and played a powerful shot off the spinner's delivery; the ball struck the umpire on the face after coming off Lakshya's bat. Visibly shaken by the incident, the batsman clutched his head in shock.
The umpire immediately signaled for assistance. Consequently, a replacement umpire had to be brought in for the match. It is worth noting that umpires frequently sustain injuries during matches, which is why many choose to wear helmets while officiating.
Umpires have died after being struck by the ball
- It is worth noting that there have been instances where umpires died after being hit by the ball during cricket matches. In 2019, during a match between Pembroke and Narberth in Wales, an umpire was struck on the head by the ball. He went into an induced coma and passed away in the hospital a month later.
- In 2014, a former captain of the Israeli national cricket team, who was officiating as an umpire in a league match in Ashdod, died in the hospital after being struck by a ball that had ricocheted off the stumps following a batsman's shot.
- In 2009, Alwyn Jenkins was officiating a league match at the St Helen's ground in Swansea, Wales. He lost his life after being struck on the head by a fielder's throw, which caused him to lose consciousness.
