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All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy who came in as a replacement of Washington Sundar in the playing 11 failed to make an impact in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday. After the seven-wicket defeat, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate did not defend the fast-bowling all-rounder and admitted that the young all-rounder hasn’t been making the most of the opportunities.
“With Nitish, we keep talking about developing him and getting him game time and then when you do get him game time, he often ends up not doing a heck of a lot in the games,” former Dutch cricketer said in the post-match press conference.
In the second ODI, Reddy scored 20 runs off 21 balls and bowled two overs, conceding 13 runs.
“For someone who’s making their way, particularly with the bat tonight (Wednesday), it was that perfect chance where you’re walking in that situation and you’ve got a chance to spend 15 overs at the wicket. You really have to take those chances to push your case to be selected," he added.
India missed 3rd spin option in 2nd ODI?
Ten Doeschate also said that India should have gone in with a spin-bowling all-rounder instead of Reddy as the team would have preferred a third spinner in the lineup. Kuldeep Yadav was expensive whereas Ravindra Jadeja remained wicketless. India had a spin-bowling option in Ayush Badoni but he was benched after being called as Sundar’s replacement in the squad.
“If you look at the combinations we have played in the past, we do like the extra spinner. To bring Ayush (Badoni) into the squad at the very last minute with Washy (Washington Sundar) going down in the (last) game, we thought Nitish should be better suited on this track," Doeschate said.
“Looking at the way the New Zealand spinners bowled, we could have done (it) with another spinner," he added.
Reddy or Badoni in 3rd ODI?
With Kiwis’ victory in the second ODI, the series is now level at 1-1. The decider at Holkar Stadium, Indore will be played on January 18. It is yet to be seen whether Reddy gets the team management’s backing for another game or Badoni gets his debut cap.
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