The Asian Games 2026 cricket event will be played at the Korogi Sports Club in Aichi, Japan.
Chakaravarthy had made his comeback to the Indian team after missing the Zimbabwe T20I series due to a hamstring injury. He picked up one wicket for 16 runs in his four overs in the first match in Delhi on September 13. Varun had developed the injury during his four-over spell.
The BCCI had confirmed Chakaravarthy’s injury but did not clarify his availability for the Asian Games.
“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,” BCCI had confirmed in a statement.
And now Sportstar and PTI have reported that Chakravarthy has been replaced in the India squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan by Vipraj Nigam. Nigam is yet to play for India but was with the Indian squad on their recent tour to Sri Lanka as a net bowler.
"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," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The 22-year-old Nigam, who represents Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has so far played 19 matches in the league, taking 13 wickets. The 21-year-old has also shown his big-hitting ability, scoring at a strike rate of around 176 in his IPL career.
Having been a member of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in 2026, Chakaravarthy has undergone an injury-plagued year. Before he suffered a hamstring injury while playing against England in the T20Is, he had broken his foot while participating in the IPL 2026.