Local boy Vipraj Nigam is looking to make the most of home comforts and tap into his experience of playing the Uttar Pradesh T20 League here when Delhi Capitals takes on host Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.
“The UP T20 league was also held here, so I have played T20 games here before. Me, Sameer (Rizvi), we have an idea of this ground, we will look to repeat the processes of the UP T20 league,” Nigam, who hails from Barabanki in UP, said ahead of the match.
However, the 20-year-old admitted that there will be some added pressure of playing in front of his family and childhood coach at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
This season, Delhi Capitals will also have access to insights from KL Rahul, who led the Super Giants for three seasons, from 2022 to 2024, and has a good grip on his former team and the ground.
“We get some help. There are some players with whom he [Rahul] has played at Lucknow Super Giants. We speak about that during team meetings. He has a good idea,” Nigam said.
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Nigam played a pivotal role in Delhi’s thrilling one-wicket win over Super Giants in its season-opener, scoring a 15-ball 39 in a tense chase while also picking a wicket.
Though Nigam’s role with the bat has been limited since that win, he considers himself an all-rounder as he eyes the double over his ‘home team’.
“I consider myself an all-rounder. I have to make contributions with the ball and with the bat whenever required.”