A Delhi Premier League match at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium was disrupted by a serious incident after umpire Dharmesh Bharadwaj was struck in the face by a ball while carrying out his duties.
The incident occurred during the 18th over of the match between East Delhi Riders and New Delhi Tigers. Riders bowler Ashish Meena delivered the ball, which Tigers batter Lakshay Thareja drove straight back down the ground. The shot travelled quickly towards the umpire, striking Bharadwaj on one side of his face.
Thareja appeared visibly stunned and distressed immediately after the incident. The force and speed of a straight drive from a batter at close range can leave an umpire with very little time to react, particularly when the ball is hit directly towards the bowler’s end.
According to several reports, Bharadwaj was subsequently taken to the intensive care unit for observation following the blow. Details of the precise nature of his injury and his condition were not immediately available. The incident has nevertheless highlighted the physical risks faced by match officials, who are positioned close to the action throughout a cricket match.
Bharadwaj is a cricket umpire listed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and has previously officiated in the Delhi Premier League. He had also suffered a shoulder injury in an earlier match during the same tournament, making the latest incident another setback during the competition.
The injury occurred during a match that produced an entertaining contest on the field. East Delhi Riders batted first and posted 192 for seven, setting New Delhi Tigers a target of 193.
The Riders made an aggressive start, with Mehra and Rana putting together 62 runs for the opening wicket in only 5.4 overs. Mehra scored 35 from 21 deliveries, while Rana contributed 33 from 22 balls.
Mayank Rawat then provided another significant contribution, making 40 from 23 deliveries. Suryansh Raina added 33 from 21 balls as the Riders maintained their scoring rate and finished with a substantial total of 192 for seven.
New Delhi Tigers began their chase positively but struggled to maintain momentum once wickets started falling at regular intervals. Their position deteriorated during the middle overs, with four wickets down for 94 after 10.2 overs.
The Tigers were eventually bowled out for 156, handing East Delhi Riders a 36-run victory. Ashish Meena was among the key contributors to the Riders’ success with the ball, taking three wickets for 32 runs from his four overs.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, the venue for the match, is one of Delhi’s principal cricket grounds and regularly hosts domestic and international fixtures. An international match between India and Afghanistan is also scheduled to be played at the venue.
The incident involving Bharadwaj adds to the inherent safety concerns surrounding cricket officials. While players have access to protective equipment and are increasingly conscious of risks from fast-moving deliveries, umpires remain exposed during live play. Straight drives and other powerful shots can reach them with considerable speed, leaving only a fraction of a second to respond.
For now, the focus remains on Bharadwaj’s condition following the facial impact and his recovery after being taken to hospital for medical observation.
