In a huge blow to India, young all-rounder Niitsh Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the first three T20Is of the five-T20I series due to left quadriceps injury sustained during the second ODI in Adelaide last week.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave a medical update before the start of the first T20I at Manuka Oval, Canberra on October 29.
“Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out for the first three T20Is. The all-rounder who was recovering from his left quadriceps injury sustained during the second ODI in Adelaide, complained of neck spasms, which has impacted his recovery and mobility. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Reddy made his ODI debut earlier this month. In his absence, India promoted Harshit Rana to no.8. He is the second pacer in the playing eleven apart from senior pro Jasprit Bumrah. Shivam Dube is the third pace-bowling option. India went in with two frontline spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
Reddy will be available for selection for the fourth T20I which is scheduled to take place on November 6 at Gold Coast, Bill Pippen Oval.
Rana gets more responsibility
There is added responsibility on Harshit Rana in Reddy's absence. He has been slotted to bat at no.8 in T20Is. He has batted at no.8 only once in T20Is and remained unbeaten on 13 in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 clash against Oman.
India vs Australia Playing XIs -
IND Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis(w), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood.