New Delhi, Sept 17:
Young leg-spin all-rounder Vipraj Nigam has been named as Varun Chakravarthy’s replacement in India’s Asian Games squad after the senior spinner was ruled out of the continental event with a side strain.
The Asian Games are scheduled to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, while the men’s cricket competition will start on September 24. India will enter the tournament at the quarterfinal stage.
Chakravarthy was forced to withdraw from the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan after suffering the injury during the opening match. He reported discomfort following the game and was subsequently sent to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further assessment.
A BCCI source said Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav were the two available options from the long list for the Asian Games squad. Kuldeep, however, is scheduled to feature in India’s ODI series against the West Indies later this month.
“Varun is out for an indefinite period of time. Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav were the two available options from the long list. Kuldeep will play the West Indies ODIs later this month,” the BCCI source told PTI.
Nigam, 22, represents Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has so far played 19 matches in the competition. The leg-spinner has taken 13 wickets in those appearances and has also demonstrated his ability with the bat.
The youngster has a strike rate of around 176 in his IPL career, giving India an additional option as a bowling all-rounder in the Asian Games squad.
Chakravarthy’s withdrawal comes after he had returned to the national side following recovery from a hamstring injury. The 35-year-old was part of India’s plans for the Afghanistan T20I series before the latest injury forced him out.
India will now have to rely on its available spin options as it prepares for the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. With the team entering the tournament directly in the quarterfinal stage, the replacement will give Nigam an opportunity to be part of a major multi-sport event.