Varun Chakravarthy Ruled Out of Asian Games 2026 With Side Strain, Vipraj Nigam Replaces Him

NEW DELHI: India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the 2026 Asian Games after suffering a side strain, with Vipraj Nigam named as his replacement in India’s squad. The BCCI announced the change on September 16, confirming that Chakaravarthy will also miss the upcoming one-off T20I against Japan.

BCCI confirms Chakravarthy’s withdrawal

The Varun Chakravarthy Asian Games injury setback comes less than a week before India’s men’s cricket campaign at the continental event. According to BCCI, Chakravarthy has been ruled out because of a side strain, while Nigam has been selected to take his place.

The latest decision means Varun Chakravarthy ruled out Asian Games is now the confirmed position rather than an availability concern. Earlier in the week, his participation had remained uncertain after he was ruled out of the remaining T20Is against Afghanistan because of the injury.

Injury occurred against Afghanistan

Chakaravarthy sustained the problem during India’s opening T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi on September 13. The spinner completed his four-over spell in that match, taking one wicket for 16 runs, before the injury affected his availability for the remainder of the series.

The Varun Chakravarthy Asian Games injury followed his return to India’s T20I side after recovering from a hamstring problem that had kept him out for around two months.

The latest Varun Chakravarthy ruled out Asian Games development therefore represents another setback for a player who had only recently returned to international cricket.

Vipraj Nigam gets senior-team opportunity

Vipraj Nigam has been brought into the Asian Games squad as Chakaravarthy’s replacement. The young leg-spin all-rounder had already been selected for India A’s home one-day series against Australia A.

Reuters reported that Nigam will replace Chakaravarthy in India’s Asian Games squad, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been moved out of the Asian Games group and into India’s ODI squad for the West Indies series. Reuters

The Varun Chakravarthy Asian Games injury has consequently opened an opportunity for Nigam to join the senior squad for the tournament.

India’s revised Asian Games squad

Following the changes, India’s squad for the Asian Games includes Shreyas Iyer as captain, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam.

The Varun Chakravarthy ruled out Asian Games decision also follows the earlier replacement of Harshit Rana by Yash Thakur because of injury.

India’s men’s cricket campaign at the Asian Games will begin later this month in Japan. The Varun Chakravarthy Asian Games injury means the team will enter the tournament without one of its experienced spin options.

What the change means for India

The Varun Chakravarthy ruled out Asian Games development changes the balance of India’s bowling group before the competition begins. Chakaravarthy’s experience in T20 cricket had made him an important option in India’s original squad.

For Nigam, meanwhile, the selection represents a major opportunity at the senior international level. The Varun Chakravarthy Asian Games injury has created a late opening in India’s squad, and the selectors have opted for Nigam rather than another established spinner.

The Varun Chakravarthy ruled out Asian Games decision is now official, with the BCCI’s updated squad confirming Nigam as his replacement.