{
  "id": 1668386,
  "title": "Scary Scenes! Umpire Suffers Terrifying Blow On Face, Reportedly Admitted To ICU During DPL 2026 | Video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/scary-scenes-umpire-suffers-terrifying-blow-on-face-reportedly",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T08:01:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/scary-scenes-umpire-suffers-terrifying-blow-on-face-reportedly-admitted-to-icu-during-dpl-2026-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A harrowing incident unfolded during the Delhi Premier League 2026 match between East Delhi Riders and New Delhi Tigers at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. On-field umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj was struck on the face by a powerful shot from Lakshay Thareja, causing widespread concern among players and spectators. The match, which saw East Delhi Riders post 192/7 in their 20 overs, took a dramatic turn when Thareja, facing left-arm spinner Ashish Meena, played a vigorous straight drive that struck Bhardwaj on the right side of his face. Despite Bhardwaj's instinct to move out of the way, the unexpected blow left him vulnerable with little time to react. The play was immediately halted as players and medical staff rushed towards the injured umpire. According to reports, Bhardwaj was subsequently taken for medical assessment and was reportedly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The incident, which also left Bhardwaj with a shoulder injury from a previous DPL match, added a chilling dimension to an already dramatic match. East Delhi Riders managed to secure a 36-run victory over New Delhi Tigers, but the incident overshadowed the result, highlighting the inherent risks umpires face while standing close to the batter.",
  "summary": "A scary incident during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 match between East Delhi Riders and New Delhi Tigers left everyone concerned after on-field umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj was struck on the face by a powerful shot from Lakshay Thareja. The incident took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday and overshadowed the Riders’ 36-run victory. The incident occurred during the 18th…",
  "key_points": [
    "Umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj struck by ball during DPL 2026 match",
    "Bhardwaj admitted to ICU with face injury and shoulder injury",
    "East Delhi Riders won match 36 runs ahead of New Delhi Tigers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}