Vipraj Nigam set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in India’s Asian Games 2026 squad
PTI reports that Vipraj Nigam is set to replace Varun Chakravarthy in India’s squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan after Chakravarthy was ruled out during the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan with a side strain.
The setback adds to India’s injury disruptions ahead of the Asian Games; Chakravarthy had only recently returned from a hamstring injury and was expected to play a key role in India’s T20I campaign at the event in Japan. The side strain sustained in the Afghanistan series ruled him out of the remainder of that series and, reportedly, the Asian Games as well.
According to the PTI reports, the replacement option is Vipraj Nigam, a Uttar Pradesh all-rounder who bowls right-arm leg-spin. Nigam is regarded as a like-for-like option to Chakravarthy while also offering batting contributions.
Nigam’s recent domestic T20 form includes 13 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 at an economy rate of 7.36. He followed that with 15 wickets in the subsequent Vijay Hazare Trophy, recording a best return of 4/66.
In the Indian Premier League, Nigam has appeared across two seasons for the Delhi Capitals, scoring 157 runs in 19 matches and taking 13 wickets. Those IPL figures form part of the experience cited for his selection.
Nigam also featured for India A in the 2026 List A tri-series in Sri Lanka, finishing the tournament with seven wickets at an economy of 5.38. He scored 116 runs in four innings for India A during that series, including a half-century against Sri Lanka A.
This selection would represent a debut at the Asian Games for the Uttar Pradesh cricketer; India’s men’s team won the gold medal at their debut appearance in Hangzhou in 2023. Nigam has not been named as a replacement specifically for the third T20I versus Afghanistan.
PTI’s account indicates the selectors intend to include Vipraj Nigam in India’s Asian Games 2026 squad as Varun Chakravarthy’s replacement, completing the immediate selection change ahead of the tournament.
