Vipraj Nigam replaces Varun Chakravarthy for Asian Games, BCCI announces squads for WI series

New Delhi: Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the Asian Games and India’s upcoming T20I against Japan after suffering a side strain, with young all-rounder Vipraj Nigam named as his replacement in the squad for the continental event. The Men’s Selection Committee also made a key change to the Asian Games group, withdrawing Nitish Kumar Reddy, who will instead turn out for India in the ODI series against the West Indies.

Chakravarthy’s injury comes shortly after his return to international cricket following a hamstring problem. The spinner had played in India’s opening T20I against Afghanistan but subsequently reported discomfort and was ruled out of the remaining matches. Further medical assessment confirmed the side strain, ending his hopes of featuring in the Japan T20I and Asian Games.

Nigam’s elevation provides the 22-year-old with an opportunity on the international stage. The leg-spin all-rounder, who represents Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has played 19 IPL matches and taken 13 wickets. His inclusion also adds another young option to an India squad that already features several players being groomed for the shorter formats.

The revised Asian Games and Japan T20I squad will be led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are the wicketkeeping options, while Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi form part of the all-round and spin resources.

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh headline the pace attack, while Yash Thakur, who was earlier drafted into the squad as Harshit Rana’s replacement, completes the pace options. Sixteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also part of the group.

The changes come alongside the announcement of India’s squads for the home white-ball series against the West Indies. Shubman Gill will captain the ODI side, with KL Rahul as vice-captain, while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the 50-over team.

The ODI squad also includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir. Auqib Nabi and Dhir receive their maiden ODI call-ups.

Shreyas Iyer will also lead the T20I side against the West Indies, with Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav in the squad.

India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies begins in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, followed by matches in Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3. The five-match T20I series begins in Lucknow on October 6.

India will first face Japan in a T20I on September 22 before beginning its Asian Games campaign. With Chakravarthy unavailable and Nigam drafted into the squad, the selection changes give the young leg-spinner an opportunity to make his mark during a significant multi-sport event.

India’s ODI team: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC, WK], Dhruv Jurel [WK], Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.

India’s T20I Team: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Sanju Samson [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav.

India’s updated squad for the Japan T20I & the Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur, Vipraj Nigam.

Tags : Vipraj Nigam, Varun Chakravarthy, Asian Games, Cricket, IPL, T20I