Vipraj Nigam, who made his Delhi Capitals debut in their IPL 2025 opener against Lucknow Super Giants, first announced himself with a blistering cameo for Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy pre-quarterfinals.
Chasing Andhra Pradesh's 157-run target, Uttar Pradesh raced to 70 for no loss in 8.1 overs. However, they suffered a mid-innings collapse resulting in them slipping to 109-6. Nigam came in at No.8 with UP still needing 48 off 24 balls.
The right-hander partnered with Rinku Singh to gun down the total with an over to spare. It was the 17th over, bowled by KV Sasikanth, which turned the match in UP's favour. Both Rinku and Nigam pressed their feet on the pedal taking 22 off the over.
Also read: Who is Vipraj Nigam, DC's 20-year-old big-hitting leg-spinner who idolises Rashid Khan?
While Rinku contributed with a four and a six, it was Nigam, who stole the show with two gigantic sixes, including eye-catching strokes over backward point, extra cover and wide long-on. His unbeaten eight-ball 27 ensured UP cruise through the rest of the chase.
Earlier, in the match, Nigam returned with figures of 2-20 with his leg spin, earning him the Player of the Match award. The win took UP to the quarter-finals.
20-year-old Nigam was signed by DC for INR 50 lakh in the 2025 IPL mega-auction. Making his debut against LSG in his team’s campaign opener at their adopted home in Visakhapatnam, he was introduced into the attack after LSG had raced to 40-0 in four overs. The young spinner needed just four balls to claim his maiden IPL wicket - a flighted delivery outside off enticed Aiden Markram (15 off 12) to go for a big shot over long-off, but he miscued it straight to Mitchell Starc.
Watch the Vipraj Nigam SMAT 2024 knock here:
4⃣,6⃣,4⃣,6⃣ 🔥
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 9, 2024
A match-turning over ?
With 48 needed off 24, Rinku Singh and Vipraj Nigam smash 22 off the 17th over to bring the equation down to 26 needed off 18 👌👌#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/4hVd1pYmE6 pic.twitter.com/UmTcPorgZg
