In a thrilling Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy pre-quarterfinal, Uttar Pradesh (UP) won dramatically by four wickets over Andhra Pradesh as Delhi Capitals’ new signing Vipraj Nigam produced an all-round performance. His late-game heroics, coupled with Rinku Singh’s solid contribution, propelled UP to the quarter-finals, where they will now face Delhi.
Who Is Vipraj Nigam?
The 20-year old right handed-batter has shown exceptional skills. He was recently roped in by Delhi Capitals for INR 60 lakhs and will be seen in the IPL 2025. He has shown incredible all-round skills with his batting and bowling prowess. In FC he has played 3 matches and scored 43 runs, while bowling he has 13 wickets in 3 matches with a fantastic economy of 3.85.
Vipraj’s Explosive Finish Against Arunachal Pradesh In SMAT
Coming in at a crucial time of the game, Vipraj took charge of the chase along with Rinku. Together, they injected a much-needed 48 runs in just three overs. The 17th over, bowled by KV Sasikanth, saw UP collect 22 runs. While Rinku hit a six, it was Vipraj who actually won the show, hitting three humongous sixes, including breathtaking shots over backward point, extra cover, and wide long-on. His blistering knock of 27* off just 8 balls took UP to the target in 19 overs, and for that, Vipraj received the Player of the Match award for his great finish.
Vipraj Nigam Shines With The Ball
Before that batting heroics which saw Vipraj win the match for his team, the left-arm leg-breaks had made their presence felt. Vipraj concluded with an impressive 2 for 20 and went a long way in shackling Andhra Pradesh’s progress.
Rinku SIngh & Vipraj Nigam Guide UP To Quarters
Uttar Pradesh got off to a strong start while chasing a target of 157, reaching 70 without loss in just 8.1 overs. However, a sudden mid-innings collapse left them struggling at 109 for six, with 48 runs still required from 24 balls. Despite the pressure, Rinku Singh played a composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls, providing the stability needed for Vipraj Nigam to take charge.
Their partnership was a perfect blend of calm and aggression, with Vipraj’s explosive finish seeing them cross the line. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh’s late surge, led by Ricky Bhui’s 23 off 18 balls and crucial contributions from Sasikanth (23* off 8 balls) and SDNV Prasad (34* off 22 balls), added 43 runs in the final 2.4 overs. However, their efforts fell short as Uttar Pradesh successfully chased down the target, securing the win.
Also Read: Can Joe Root Break Sachin Tendulkar’s Iconic Test Record?
Vipraj Nigam: A Rising Star For Delhi Capitals
Vipraj Nigam’s all-round performance revealed his massive potential, both with bat and ball. His explosive batting and sharp leg-spin underlined his credentials as a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season.
This impressive win places Uttar Pradesh on the positive note as they face Delhi in their quarter-final.
