Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sanjay Singh has captured the nation’s attention not just for his role in the Delhi Traffic Police, but for a heroic "Mission 11 Minutes" that saved the life of South African pacer Lungi Ngidi. As details of the emergency surface, so does a fascinating chapter from Singh’s past: his time as a talented cricketer playing alongside India’s biggest icons.
Shared Ground with Kohli and Gambhir
Long before he was managing Delhi’s chaotic traffic, ACP Singh was a regular in the city's competitive cricket circuit. In recent interviews, he revealed that his connection to the game goes back decades.
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The Delhi Police Team: Singh was a mainstay of the Delhi Police cricket team, playing professionally until 2012.
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Dressing Room Legends: During his time in the DDCA League, he shared the field and dressing rooms with future legends like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, and a then-teenage Virat Kohli.
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Understanding the Stakes: Singh credits this background for his quick reaction during the IPL emergency. "I’ve played the game, so I knew such an injury could be fatal," he noted, referring to the moment he saw Ngidi motionless on the turf.
"Mission 11 Minutes": Overruling the Algorithm
On the evening of April 25, 2026, during the DC vs. PBKS clash, Ngidi suffered a terrifying fall, landing on his head and neck. With the player unresponsive and wearing an oxygen mask, Singh knew every second was critical.
| The Challenge | ACP Singh’s Strategy |
| Peak Hour: 6:15 PM Delhi traffic. | The Human Touch: He overruled the ambulance driver’s plan to use Google Maps, knowing it would lead them into a gridlock. |
| Distance: ~10 km to BLK Max Hospital. | Green Corridor: He manually coordinated with 60 officers to clear every major junction, such as Mandi House. |
| Normal Time: 25–30 minutes. | Result: The hospital was reached in a record 11 minutes. |
Instinct, Policing, and Empathy
ACP Singh’s story is a rare blend of professional duty and personal passion. While his "Mission 11 Minutes" was a masterclass in emergency management, it was his perspective as a former athlete that triggered the response.
"When the driver said he’d follow the map, I knew better. I know these routes like the back of my hand. I told him to leave the algorithm to me."
Thanks to Singh’s intervention, Lungi Ngidi was stabilized and discharged the same night. For the Delhi cop who once bowled to a young Virat Kohli, the successful "save" was perhaps the most important play of his career.
