The inclusion of Nitish Reddy in India’s Test team above players like Axar Patel has been questioned by former captain Kris Srikkanth. In the second Test of the two-match series against South Africa, Nitish is currently playing for India.
Srikkanth noted that based on the way he bowls with the red ball, Nitish does not appear to be a good pace-bowling all-rounder. He also believed that Nitish had not performed well enough in domestic cricket to replace Hardik Pandya in the 50-over team.
“Nitish Reddy is an all-rounder, but who says that? Does anyone think he is an all-rounder based on his bowling? What has he done since hitting a hundred at the MCG? As they say, “One swallow doesn’t make a summer.” Does he move or pace? Nor is he some lethal hitter. Let’s be honest. Also, how is Nitish doing in the ODI team? What did he do? Is Nitish Reddy Hardik Pandya’s replacement? “Why not Axar Patel?” Srikkanth said in a YouTube video.
I am an excellent all-arounder if Nitish Reddy is.
Srikkanth, who has also served as the BCCI’s former head of selectors, lambasted Gautam Gambhir and the team management for continuously testing out individuals through a rotation method rather than remaining with a set core of players.
Every other match, a new player makes their debut. Trial and error, they would say. Gautam Gambhir is free to say anything he pleases. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve served as both a selector’s chair and a captain. I am aware of what I am saying. I’m not speaking through a hat. He said, “You need consistency,” in the same video.
India is currently battling to save the Test series in Guwahati. In Kolkata, they were defeated by 30 runs in the first match of the series. In the second match, the foreigners have also dominated, scoring 489 runs in the first innings before dismissing India for 201 to grab a commanding lead.
In the last three series, Gambhir has lost two Test series at home if India loses the series. Following the red-ball matches, the Men in Blue will play South Africa in three ODIs and five T20Is.
Home