Udaipur, March 25 2025: The most exciting match of IPL 2025 so far was played between the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam on Monday. The fourth match of the league turned into a nail-biter, with Delhi defeating Lucknow by just one wicket. While everyone hailed Ashutosh Sharma as the hero of Delhi's victory for sealing the match with a six, the real hero of this win was someone else. Despite playing a brilliant innings, he remained unnoticed.

Vipraj Nigam: The Real Hero of Delhi’s Victory

We are talking about Vipraj Nigam, a player not many know about, but he played a key role in Delhi's win. Without his contribution, Delhi might not have won. While Ashutosh Sharma’s six earned praise, it was Vipraj’s performance that set up the victory.

Who is Vipraj Nigam?

Vipraj Nigam is a 20-year-old leg-spinner from Uttar Pradesh. He impressed everyone in the UPT20 League and earned a spot in the Ranji Trophy. In his Ranji debut against Bengal, he took four wickets in the first innings, dismissing key players like Wriddhiman Saha and Anustup Majumdar. He finished the tournament with 13 wickets in three matches. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took eight wickets in seven matches with an economy of 7.12. In the UPT20 League, Vipraj played for Lucknow Falcons and took 20 wickets in 11 matches, proving his talent as a bowler.

Inspired by Rashid Khan

At just 20 years old, Vipraj Nigam was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹50 lakh. He is a leg-spinner who looks up to Rashid Khan and is known for his sharp turns on spinning pitches. Vipraj became famous while playing for Lucknow Falcons in the UPT20 League, where he took 20 wickets in 12 matches with an economy of 7.45. His great performance in the league earned him a spot in Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji team for the 2024-25 season.

Turned the Match Around

Vipraj came to bat after Tristan Stubbs got out in the 13th over, scoring 34 runs off 22 balls. At that time, Delhi had already lost six wickets. With Ashutosh Sharma at the other end, Vipraj started hitting big shots right away. In his first IPL match, Vipraj scored 39 runs off 15 balls, including five fours and two sixes. His strike rate of 260 was the highest in the game. His quick runs gave Delhi the momentum they needed, even though he got out to Digvesh Rathi. By the time he left, Delhi was in a strong position, making it easier for Ashutosh to finish the match.

Delhi Won in a Nail-Biter

In this match, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel chose to bowl first. Lucknow Super Giants scored 210 runs, thanks to Nicholas Pooran (75) and Mitchell Marsh (72). Despite struggling at the start, Delhi won the match by one wicket. Ashutosh Sharma (66*) hit a six in the last over to win it for Delhi with three balls to spare. However, it was Vipraj Nigam’s quick 39 and one wicket that set the stage for this thrilling win.