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India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was already ruled out of the ongoing three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with a side strain, and now he is all set to miss the Asian Games 2026 too.
The spinner picked up a fresh injury during India’s seven-wicket win in the first T20I against Afghanistan. The 35-year-old bowled brilliantly in the first T20I, finishing with figures of 1/16 from his four overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Asian Games 2026 dream hit by major injury blow
Varun Chakravarthy made an impressive comeback after around two months away from the game because of a hamstring injury he sustained on the England tour. But the Indian spinner ended up once again getting inured, raising fresh questions on the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Before the second T20I on September 15, the BCCI confirmed that Varun Chakravarthy will miss the rest of the Afghanistan series after suffering a side strain during the first T20I in Delhi. He has now been asked to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Now, a sports Today's report revealed that Chakravarthy has also been ruled out of the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Japan as well.
It is also being suggested that the Delhi Capitals spinner Vipraj Nigam has been named as Chakravarthy’s replacement in the Asian Games 2026 squad.
#TeamIndia
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) September 16, 2026
Vipraj Nigam to replace Varun Chakravarthy for Asian Games.@BCCI
Varun Chakravarthy’s injury woes continue
Varun Chakravarthy had earlier recovered from a Grade 2 hamstring injury suffered in England in July after rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He also played one TNPL match for Dindigul Dragons in August.
The spinner had already battled a toe hairline fracture and finger injury during IPL 2026, yet he played 11 matches despite discomfort. Varun later missed the Ireland tour and was injured again in England, forcing him out of the Zimbabwe tour.
Although this is not a recurrence of Chakravarthy's hamstring injury, the latest setback has again raised questions over India’s injury management and rehabilitation process at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif questions Shreyas Iyer’s bowling tactics after India’s series win.
Varun Chakravarthy ruled out indefinitely, Vipraj Nigam set to make India debut in Asian Games 2026
On the other hand, a BCCI source shared that Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled for an indefinite period, and the selectors had two options in Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav. However, Kuldeep is already expected to play the ODI series against the West Indies, so Vipraj is picked for the Asian Games.
A BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI on conditions of anonymity: “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.”
Vipraj Nigam's domestic numbers
Young spinner Vipraj Nigam has already made an impact in the IPL with Delhi Capitals. The 22-year-old has played 19 matches so far and has picked up 13 wickets.
Nigam has also impressed with the bat. He has also scored over 150 runs in 10 innings at a stunning strike rate of around 176. Overall, Nigam has played 33 T20s, where he scalped 34 wickets at an economy rate of 8.46 and 244 runs at a strike rate of 157.
The Asian Games 2026 men's cricket competition will start on September 24, with India entering the tournament directly at the quarterfinal stage.
