LUCKNOW, Sept. 16 -- Vipraj Nigam, a 22-year-old leg-spin all-rounder from Barabanki, has earned his maiden call-up to Team India for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, replacing the injured mystery spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy.

His selection marks the culmination of years of hard work in domestic cricket and a breakthrough IPL career with Delhi Capitals.

Chakaravarthy's side strain, sustained during the opening T20I against Afghanistan last week, ruled him out indefinitely from the Asian Games, triggering a three-way race between experienced options Kuldeep Yadav, Krunal Pandya, and the relatively lesser-known Nigam. Ultimately, the selectors opted for Nigam, valuing his youthful exuberance, lower-order hitting ability, and r...