Why India Should Select Nitish Reddy For Border-Gavaskar Trophy In Australia?

Nitish Reddy batting against Bangladesh (@BCCI/X.com)Nitish Reddy batting against Bangladesh (@BCCI/X.com)

Nitish Reddy made an impressive debut against Bangladesh in the first T20I at Gwalior and showcased his skills with the bat and ball. He is a seam-bowling all-rounder, a rare commodity in Indian cricket, and so there is a lot of excitement around him. 

He has been fast-tracked into the Indian T20I side and also played the Duleep Trophy recently despite his mediocre first-class record, which clearly indicates that selectors are looking at him as a serious option in Test cricket, too. In 20 first-class matches, Reddy has a batting average of just 20.22 and has one hundred and two fifties to his name. 

However, he has two five wicket-hauls with the ball and has grabbed 54 wickets, which underlines that he can contribute in both the departments in red-ball cricket, too. However, more than stats, it is about the potential and skillset Nitish Reddy brings to the table that makes him a strong contender for a spot in the BGT. Here are a few reasons why he should be selected in the India squad for BGT.

Seam Bowling All-Rounder - A Valuable Asset In SENA Countries

An all-rounder's role is crucial in modern-day cricket. Over the years, successful teams have always boasted of some quality all-rounders who have delivered impact performances and have won matches for their side. In Test cricket, a spin-bowling all-rounder is a boon in subcontinent conditions while in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries, the role of a seam-bowling all-rounder becomes prominent due to pacer-friendly conditions.

In the form of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India have two world-class spin-bowling allrounders and that has made India almost unbeatable at home. In SENA countries too, India have done well in the recent past, but have also faltered on numerous occasions, especially with the bat in testing conditions. 

One of the main reason for it is India's compulsion to play an extra seamer in those conditions which makes their batting a bit light and it has hampered India's progress in crucial games. However, if India plays someone like Nitish Reddy in SENA countries, he can bat at six and can perform the role of a fourth seamer too which would provide India with more options and depth in the XI. Nitish Reddy has the ability to hit 140 clicks and has a good technique with the bat as well, making him a hot prospect for the Australian tour where India would need an extra pace-bowling option.

Nitish Reddy Inclusion Will Allow Ravindra Jadeja And Ashwin To Play Together In Australia

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are both world-class cricketers. Still, due to conditions in Australia where India have to play an extra seamer, Ashwin more often that not tends to miss out. He is a quality bowler, though, who has the ability to pick wickets in varied conditions and also provides depth with the bat. So, India would benefit from his presence, and it is possible only with the inclusion of an all-rounder who has the ability to bat in the top six and perform the role of a fourth seamer. Nitish Reddy provides those skills, so his inclusion can help India go up against Australia with a more balanced combination and flexibility in the XI.

Hardik Pandya's Fitness And Shardul Thakur's Vulnerability As Batter

Apart from Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur are two seam-bowling all-rounders at India's disposal. However, Hardik Pandya last played Test cricket in 2018 and given his long history of injuries, he does not seem keen to risk his body for the longest format. It puts him out of the equation for BGT, while the other option, Shardul Thakur, has also not played a lot of cricket recently. 

Also, Shardul is more of a basher with the bat and cannot be trusted to bat in the top seven against quality teams like Australia. It leaves India with an option of Nitish Reddy, who is young and has the potential to deliver as an all-rounder. It would be a bold decision if the selectors fast-track him into the Test squad, but one which can be pretty rewarding, and he could be the x-factor for India in their bid to notch up a hat-trick of series win in Australia.