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Delhi Capitals spinner Vipraj Nigam believes home conditions don’t offer a significant advantage in IPL as all teams prepare similarly. He has taken seven wickets and scored 54 runs this season.
Vipraj Nigam of Delhi Capitals. (Picture credit: AP)
Delhi Capitals spinner Vipraj Nigam believes that home conditions don’t give a significant advantage to franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) because all teams prepare similarly for each venue.
His comments come ahead of DC’s away match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium, scheduled for Tuesday (April 22) evening. A lot of franchises are struggling in home matches this season, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.
It has led to an unusual number of captains and staff members criticising home pitches for not being conducive to their strengths. However, Nigam had a more general reason behind the issue.
“Home conditions are not very advantageous in IPL but yes you have an idea as to what to consider,” Nigam said at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by PTI. “There is not much advantage to the team. You are familiar with the weather, ground dimension etc. But all teams have similar preparation… The UP T20 league happened here. So we have played T20 games here. Sameer [Rizvi] and I have an idea of the ground so we will try follow the same process we did in UP T20,” he added.
Nigam, who was born and brought up in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, will play for the first time in his home capital city this season.
“Yes, there is a lot of pressure and nervousness in all the games. It just adds up when you play in front of your family and coach,” he said.
I Consider Myself An All-Rounder: Vipraj Nigam
Nigam has picked up seven wickets this season, while also scoring 54 runs at a strike-rate of 207.69 down the order. His best knock this season, a fighting 39, came in DC’s win against the same opponent, LSG, at the start of their campaign in the season.
“I consider myself an all-rounder. I have to make contributions with the ball and also with the bat whenever require,” Nigam said… “I get advice from the seniors in every game. We do get some help from the seniors. There are some players who were in Lucknow last year and are here this year as well. We talk about those aspects in our team meetings and plan accordingly,” he added.
