LUCKNOW, Sept. 15 -- There will be no Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma for India A against Australia A in the three-match one-day series, starting September 30, at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, but for Uttar Pradesh's fans their own leg spinner Vipraj Nigam would be there to show his class. The 20-year-old, originally from Barabanki, has been picked in the Indian A squad for all three matches as the other two matches will be played on October 3 and October 5 at the same venue. "It's an opportunity for me to showcase my ability at a much bigger level," said Nigam. "In fact, I didn't know about my selection for the series. You just told me this, thanks," he added. Nigam, who plays for Lucknow's UP Timber Cricket Club, shot into the limelight in the second edition of the UPTwenty20 League last season when he took 19 wickets, five less than another leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari. While playing for local outfits Lucknow Falcons, he continued his good run this season too, bagging 20 wickets in 12 matches. In fact, Nigam's good showing in the UPT20 League in 2024 got him a Uttar Pradesh debut in all formats and in his three first-class matches this bowling all-rounder has so far, he has taken 13 wickets, besides claiming four wickets in four List A matches and 19 wickets in 21 T20 matches. "I am happy to be in the India A side and will try to give my best if given the opportunity," said Nigam, who will be bowling alongside experienced leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who has also been drafted in the side for all three matches. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, Nigam smashed 27 off just eight balls to take UP over the line against Andhra. While he only picked eight wickets in seven games in SMAT 2024, he went at only 7.12. His good showing also fetched him a place in Delhi Capitals' side in the Indian Premier League this season. He was picked for Rs 50 lakh by the side where he made his IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants in Vizag and picked 1/35 off his two overs and scored a 15-ball 39. As per BCCI's announcement on Sunday, Rajat Patidar will be leading the India A in the first match against Australia A whereas Tilak Verma has been named captain for the remaining two matches. India A squad for the 1st one-day match: Rajat Patidar (captain), Prabhsimran Singh (w-k), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abishek Porel (w-k), Priyansh Arya and Simarjeet Singh. India A squad for 2nd and 3rd one-day: Tilak Varma (captain), Rajat Patidar (v-c), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (w-k), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abishek Porel (w-k), Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh....