Delhi Premier League umpire hospitalised in ICU after being hit by ball

Delhi Premier League umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj was seriously injured after being struck in the face by a cricket ball during a match at Arun Jaitley Stadium and was later admitted to an intensive care unit for observation, according to a report.

The incident occurred during the 18th over of New Delhi Tigers’ innings against East Delhi Riders. Batter Lakshay Thareja stepped out to play a straight drive off Ashish Meena, but the hard-hit ball flew directly into Bhardwaj’s face.

The umpire tried to move away and duck but could not react quickly enough. The ball struck the right side of his face, leaving him in considerable pain on the field.

Bhardwaj immediately called for medical assistance. Thareja appeared visibly shaken by the incident and later went over to check on the umpire.

It was reportedly not Bhardwaj’s first injury during the match, as he had earlier been struck on the shoulder by another delivery.

He was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and was admitted to the ICU for observation because of the seriousness of the injury.

East Delhi Riders won the match by 36 runs, but the umpire’s injury overshadowed the result.