Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of Asian Games 2026; Vipraj Nigam named as replacement

Varun Chakaravarthy sustained a side injury during India’s first T20I agianst Afghanistan. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the 2026 Asian Games with a side injury sustained during India’s T20I series against Afghanistan.

The 35-year-old developed the injury during the first T20I in New Delhi. He completed his four-over spell for figures of one for 16 but pulled up after the match.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Vipraj Nigam, who is yet to make his international debut, has been named as his replacement.

The BCCI had confirmed Chakaravarthy’s injury but did not clarify his availability for the Asian Games. In a statement, it said: “Chakaravarthy experienced sudden-onset discomfort in his left lateral abdominal region while bowling his third over in the first T20I. Scans have revealed a side strain, and he has subsequently been ruled out of the remaining two T20Is.”

Ravi Bishnoi replaced Chakaravarthy in the playing XI for the second T20I.

Chakaravarthy, a member of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad earlier this year, has endured an injury-hit 2025. He suffered a foot fracture during the Indian Premier League before sustaining a hamstring injury during India’s five-match T20I series against England, which ruled him out of the subsequent tour of Zimbabwe.