Image Source: X
A shocking incident during the Delhi Premier League (DPL 2026) left everyone at the stadium stunned. During a LIVE match, a powerful cricket shot struck on-field umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj directly in the face. The impact was so severe that he immediately fell to the ground and required urgent medical attention.
The incident occurred during the match between East Delhi Riders and New Delhi Tigers and quickly became the biggest talking point of the game.
Watch VIDEO: DPL 2026 Umpire Hit in Face by Powerful Shot
The frightening incident took place during the 18th over of New Delhi Tigers innings. Spinner Ashish Meena was bowling when batter Lakshay Thareja played a powerful straight drive.
The ball travelled back at tremendous speed and went straight towards the umpire. Dharmesh Bhardwaj was standing directly in its path and had almost no time to react.
The ball struck the right side of his face, causing the umpire to collapse on the field.
LIVE Match Horror: Ball Strikes Umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj’s Face
As soon as the ball hit the umpire, players rushed towards him. The medical team was immediately called onto the field to provide assistance.
Lakshay Thareja, who had played the shot, also looked visibly shocked and concerned after realizing that the ball had seriously injured the umpire.
The incident created a tense atmosphere inside the stadium as players and officials waited for an update on Bhardwaj's condition.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra Debunks Fake Sanju Samson CSK Captaincy Claim
Dharmesh Bhardwaj Rushed to Hospital After Serious Injury
After receiving initial treatment on the field, Dharmesh Bhardwaj was taken to a hospital for further medical care.
According to reports, the injury was serious and he was admitted to the ICU. The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by on-field umpires, who stand close to the batter and often have only a fraction of a second to react to powerful shots.
DPL 2026 Umpire Had Been Hit by Ball Earlier This Season
The latest incident is particularly concerning because this was reportedly not the first time Dharmesh Bhardwaj had been hit by a cricket ball during DPL 2026.
He had earlier been struck on the shoulder during another match. This time, however, the ball hit his face, making the incident considerably more serious.
East Delhi Riders Beat New Delhi Tigers by 36 Runs
Despite the frightening incident, the match continued and East Delhi Riders secured a convincing victory.
Batting first, East Delhi Riders scored 192/7 in 20 overs. Mayank Rawat played an attacking knock of 40 runs from 23 balls.
New Delhi Tigers struggled during their chase and were bowled out for 156 runs, handing East Delhi Riders a 36-run victory.
However, the result was overshadowed by the serious injury suffered by umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj.
DPL 2026 Match Overshadowed by Serious Umpire Injury
The match produced an exciting contest, but the terrifying umpire injury became the main talking point. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly a cricket match can turn dangerous when a powerful shot travels towards an official standing close to the action.
Watch the video of the shocking DPL 2026 incident as a powerful straight drive hits umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj in the face during the LIVE match.
Also Read: Devdutt Padikkal Saves KL Rahul With Crucial DRS Call in 1st Test
