Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the Indian team against South Africa after the all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was benched in the first ODI of the three-match series despite Hardik Pandya's absence at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
Ashwin questioned Reddy's exclusion
Reddy, who made his ODI debut during India's last assignment in Australia, was part of the team's two-Test match series against the Proteas, so many expected Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder like Pandya, to slot in for the series opener.
"If we are not able to find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in a team that does not have Hardik Pandya, then there is something wrong in the squad selection, seriously,
"Why was he picked? Because the fact that he can give what Hardik can give, and can get better over a period of time. But, if we can't find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in this particular XI, then the squad selection must be properly reviewed," Ashwin said.
Nitish Kumar Reddy's cricketing career
The fast bowling all-rounder represented India in 16 matches, including 10 Tests, 2 ODIs and four T20Is where he scored 396, 27 and 90 runs respectively and while bowling, he picked up 11 wickets so far for India. India batting great Virat Kohli handed him the Test debut cap in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and he received his ODI cap from Rohit Sharma during India's last fifty-over assignment in Australia.
Notably, Nitish Reddy has been a significant talking point over the last two to three months, and his place in the playing XI for the second Test against South Africa, which India lost by a mammoth 408-run margin, was questioned.
Ashwin for Ruturaj Gaikwad
In the opening ODI, Ruturaj Gaikwad came to bat at No.4, even though he has usually batted higher up the order. His comeback to international cricket didn’t go as planned, as he scored just eight runs before falling to a brilliant diving catch by Dewald Brevis at backward point.
Ravichandran Ashwin feels that since Gaikwad is being tested at No.4, Tilak Varma will need to wait for his chances in the middle order. Gaikwad is only playing in this crucial position because Shreyas Iyer is sidelined due to injury.
“You gave an opportunity to Ruturaj, so it doesn’t make sense to go to Tilak Varma right now. So, give him a longer run and then decide what your right combination is,” said Ashwin.
Team India are leading 1-0 in the three-match ODI series, and the second clash will take place on December 3 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur.