Vipraj Nigam Not The Best! Indian Players Who Should've Been In Asian Games 2026

Vipraj Nigam is named in India's squad for Asian Games 2026. Source- AFPAfter Varun Chakaravarthy was ruled out, even for the Asian Games 2026, the BCCI decided to loop in Vipraj Nigam as a replacement for the mystery spinner for the games. Nigam can be a great utility player, but his stats don’t justify his place in the current Indian T20I team. In T20 cricket, the 22-year-old has played 33 matches, taking wickets at a strike rate of 17.6 and slamming runs at a strike rate of 157.41. However, the Indian domestic setup has several other spinners who could have been better suited to the 2026 Asian Games squad than Vipraj Nigam.In this article, we will look at three options that India could have picked over Vipraj Nigam for the upcoming Asian Games. Spinners better than Vipraj Nigam for Asian Games 2026Yuzvendra ChahalThe way the ball is coming out of Yuzvendra Chahal's hand, it looks like the champion leg-spinner was never kept away from the international sport. However, truth be told, he last represented India in August 2023. Chahal, who can get a ball to turn off a glass surface, is the highest wicket-taker in the IPL history. Meanwhile, he is doing too well during his stint for Northamptonshire in the UK. However, the team management has decided to move forward rather than look at someone like Chahal. Moreover, Vipraj Nigam’s ability to tonk a long ball went in his favour, but Yuzi Chahal could have been a better wicket-taking option. Also Read: Wrist Spinners India Can Groom In Varun Chakaravarthy's Absence For T20 World Cup 2028Shivang KumarIn IPL 2026, there were multiple instances when the game was running away from SRH, and Shivang Kumar brought them back, especially in the match against CSK, where he bagged 1/18. The left-arm wrist-spinner may not have Kuldeep Yadav's control, but the 21-year-old is a star in the making.Additionally, Shivang can add finishing touches as a lower-order batter. In the MPT20 League, he slammed 194 runs in eight innings at a strike rate above 175, alongside his seven scalps in as many innings. Meanwhile, in IPL cricket, he finished with nine wickets in 13 outings. Vipraj Nigam, meanwhile, was benched midway through the 2026 season.Suyash SharmaSuyash Sharma has been a tremendous performer over the last three IPL seasons, contributing to three back-to-back triumphs (one for KKR and two with RCB). Although he didn’t have many tricks up his sleeve, the leggie has only gotten better with each season. Last season, Suyash showed great composure against the biggest names in world cricket, using effective googlies and even leg-breaks. As lifted back-to-back trophies, the Delhi-based spinner took nine wickets in 12 innings. His wicket-taking taking could be questioned in the shortest format, but Suyash still better stats in T20 cricket than Vipraj Nigam, who has taken 34 wickets in 32 innings with an ER of 8.46. Meanwhile, the RCB blood has scalped 65 wickets in 64 games at an economy of 7.93. Also Read: India's Strongest ODI XI vs West Indies: Shubman Gill To Include Auqib Nabi?