Vipraj Nigam's Journey to the IPL

From a Dream to Reality

Vipraj Nigam, a 20-year-old leg-spinner from Lucknow, has been living a dream he first saw as an eight-year-old watching the IPL final of 2013. Growing up in Barabanki, a town close to the UP capital of Lucknow, Nigam was enamoured by the star-studded line-ups, dazzling lights, and roaring crowd.

The Turning Point

Nigam's rise wasn't built around his leg-spin from the start. He began as a prodigious batter at the Youth Cricket Club in Barabanki, impressing in the inaugural season of the Uttar Pradesh T20 league with his power-hitting. However, it was at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) that coaches recognised his potential and pointed out the high demand in India for a leg-spinning all-rounder.

Inspiration from Yasir Shah

Nigam found inspiration in Yasir Shah, the wily Pakistan leg-spinner known for his control and sharp turn. He spent hours watching and studying how Yasir bowled, working on his new craft. Results followed – he had a standout season in the Uttar Pradesh T20 league 2024, finishing with 20 wickets from 11 games as a genuine leg-spinner.

The Mega Auction

Nigam's name flashed live on the screen during the mega auction, and he was sold to the Delhi Capitals. The feeling was unlike anything else, and it's imprinted vividly even now. He was eager to meet the senior Indian players in the squad and learn from them.

First Game in the IPL

In his very first game, Nigam found himself bowling to Nicholas Pooran, who welcomed him to the league with three sixes in an over. The biggest takeaway was that in the IPL, you're never set, and you can't afford to slip into a comfortable zone.

Setting the Benchmark

Delhi Capitals have wasted no time in throwing Vipraj Nigam into the deep end, and the IPL has already given him a taste of both the dizzy highs as well as its unforgiving side. For Nigam, IPL 2025 is not just about being a promising addition to the Delhi Capitals squad, it's about making an impact. He doesn't want to just play; he wants to be a difference-maker.

Personal Goal

A dozen wickets, 250 runs, that's the rough statistical benchmark he has set for himself. But beyond the numbers, Nigam's focus is clear. "My personal goal if I play a lot of matches for my team is that, somewhere I should have a hand in the team's win."

The Journey Ahead

From an eight-year-old dreaming under the lights of the IPL to standing under them in Vizag, Nigam's journey has only just begun and it's one he hopes to savour for a long time. "It is unexplainable," he says about the IPL world beyond the runs and the wickets. "It's a life where you're playing with such established players, travelling with them, going on team dinners, enjoying music… I can't describe it in words. It's a very different feeling and hopefully this goes on for a long time."