Vipraj Nigam Added to India’s Asian Games 2026 Squad as Varun’s Replacement

Vipraj Nigam, a Delhi Capitals leg-spinner, has been nominated to India’s roster for the Asian Games 2026 cricket event, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.

The alteration was confirmed on September 16, 2026, one day after Chakravarthy suffered a side strain during India’s first T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi on September 15.

Chakravarthy bowled four overs in that contest, producing statistics of 1/16 before feeling pain in the third over. India won the game by seven wickets. He was then transported to Bengaluru to meet with the Center of Excellence medical team for scans and has been ruled out of the Asian Games as a result.

Kuldeep Yadav was also on the Asian Games list as a replacement, but his selection for India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies allowed Nigam to step in. The cricket event is set to commence on September 28, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

How significant are Chakravarthy’s injury issues going into 2026?

This is not Chakravarthy’s first fitness setback this year. He had a Grade 2 hamstring injury during India’s tour of England in July 2026, keeping him out of competitive cricket for an extended length of time.

He finished his recovery at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru before returning to action in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

Chakravarthy was included to India’s T20I squad for the Afghanistan series after gradually regaining full health. The side strain he developed in Delhi has forced him to withdraw from the Asian Games before they even began. This is the spinner’s second injury in as many months, raising concerns about his workload management ahead of a hectic international schedule.

What does Nigam’s call-up mean for India’s spin possibilities at the Asian Games?

Nigam’s addition provides another wrist-spin option to a lineup that also includes Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi. His selection comes as a direct replacement for Chakravarthy, one of India’s most experienced T20 spinners, and provides a significant opportunity for the Delhi Capitals bowler on the international stage.

Shreyas Iyer leads India’s Asian Games squad, while Tilak Varma serves as vice-captain. The team has a strong batting line-up and a diverse bowling assault, and Nigam’s acquisition assures that the wrist-spin department is well covered for the event in Aichi-Nagoya. With Kuldeep Yadav unavailable due to ODI obligations, Nigam was the obvious choice to fill the void left by Chakravarthy’s injury.

India’s entire squad for the Asian Games 2026