Vipraj Nigam Steps in for Varun Chakravarthy in Asian Games Cricket Squad

Young leg-spin all-rounder Vipraj Nigam has been named as Varun Chakravarthy's replacement in India's cricket squad for the Asian Games due to an injury. With the tournament starting on September 19 in Japan, Nigam's inclusion comes as a significant opportunity for the 22-year-old, who has shown promise in the IPL. The men's cricket competition will begin on September 24, where India will enter at the quarterfinal stage. Chakravarthy's absence is a notable setback for the team, as he had just returned from a previous injury. Read on to find out more about this development and what it means for the Indian cricket team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 17, 2026, 00:08 IST

Vipraj Nigam Joins Asian Games Team

In a recent development, young leg-spin all-rounder Vipraj Nigam has been called up to replace Varun Chakravarthy in India's squad for the upcoming Asian Games. Chakravarthy has been ruled out due to a side strain.

The Asian Games are set to commence on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed, "Varun is out for an indefinite period. The available options were Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav, but Kuldeep will be participating in the ODIs against West Indies later this month."

Chakravarthy sustained his injury during the first T20I match against Afghanistan and has been sidelined since, with expectations that he will be out for a while.

At just 22 years old, Nigam plays for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, where he has participated in 19 matches, claiming 13 wickets. He has also demonstrated his power-hitting skills, boasting a strike rate of approximately 176 throughout his IPL career.

The men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games will kick off on September 24, with India entering the competition at the quarterfinal stage.

Chakravarthy's exit is a significant loss for the Indian team, as he had recently returned to the national squad after recovering from a hamstring injury prior to the Afghanistan series.

Following discomfort in the first T20I, he was sent back to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further evaluation.