Cricket

India's Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia includes three uncapped players, including seam-up all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy's rapid rise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the cusp of a Test debut has raised eyebrows, but former India pacer Dodda Ganesh believes his fast-tracking "serves no purpose."Reddy, who was part of India's 'A' team in Australia before the Test squad's arrival, was selected for the BGT along with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Harshit Rana. Reddy's IPL exploits for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024 earned him a call-up to India's T20 squad against Bangladesh. His impressive performance in the second match, with a 74-run knock and two wickets, further enhanced his reputation.In four innings of two unofficial Tests against Australia 'A' earlier this month, Reddy's highest score was 38, and he took only one wicket. Former India coach Ravi Shastri has tipped Reddy to make his Test debut in Perth, citing his batting ability and seam-up bowling as potential assets to the team's balance.However, Ganesh believes that such a move would be premature. "This fast-tracking of Nitish Reddy for Tests serves no purpose. He is still undercooked to be playing the longer format," Ganesh wrote on social media. He suggests that the Indian think-tank should opt for a specialist in the playing eleven, either a bowler or a batter.Shastri, on the other hand, believes that Reddy's versatility could be valuable in Perth's pacer-friendly conditions. He suggests that Reddy could play a similar role to Shardul Thakur as a fourth seamer who can also contribute with the bat.The Indian team management faces a dilemma in selecting the playing eleven for the opening Test. Reddy's inclusion would provide balance, but his lack of experience in the longer format raises concerns. The decision will ultimately depend on the team's assessment of the conditions and the opposition's strengths.

Former BCCI and Team India selector MSK Prasad has raised concerns over the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy, who has played only 21 first-class matches, has been fast-tracked into the Test squad after impressing in IPL 2024 and in T20Is for India.Prasad believes that Reddy should not be expected to perform like Hardik Pandya, who is a more experienced all-rounder. "He is not Hardik, who bowls at 140. He just bowls at 125 to 130kmph," Prasad said.Prasad also expressed concern over Reddy's lack of experience in red-ball cricket. "I'm concerned because of the kind of role we gave to Hardik back then after whatever Test cricket he had played," Prasad added.Hardik's Test career lasted only 11 Tests, and he hasn't played a red-ball game in over six years. He has often been bogged down by injury and needed workload management.Prasad has similar worries about Reddy, who has only 708 runs and a solitary century in first-class cricket. "His batting numbers are far from brilliant," Prasad said.Despite his concerns, Prasad acknowledged that Reddy has taken 55 first-class wickets at a good average of 26.01. However, he believes that Reddy's selection is a gamble."It's a gamble. He's a talented player, but he's not ready for Test cricket yet," Prasad said. "I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not convinced."

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed his gratitude to the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for their unwavering support and has pledged to repay their trust. Reddy, a fast-bowling all-rounder, was retained by SRH for INR 6 crore, marking a significant milestone for the Andhra Pradesh native.Reddy's journey to the IPL began in 2023 when he was acquired by SRH for INR 20 lakh. Despite limited opportunities in his debut season, he showcased his potential in IPL 2024, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award. His impressive performances, including a match-winning 64 against Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 76 against Rajasthan Royals, propelled him to the Indian national team.Reddy's retention by SRH is a testament to his rapid rise in the cricketing world. It also marks a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh, as Reddy becomes the first player from the state to secure an IPL retention.In an exclusive interview, Reddy expressed his pride in representing his region and his commitment to the SRH franchise. "Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I'm proud to represent my region when playing for the team in the IPL," he said.Reddy credits the IPL with transforming his life. "Everything has just changed like a rapid fire. Like in one year from nowhere to being something, I really feel that IPL is a big stage where my talent came out and everyone knows me now," he said.The all-rounder emphasized the importance of hard work and preparation, particularly in developing his power-hitting game. He also highlighted the role of shadow practicing in improving his downswing.Reflecting on his journey, Reddy expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by his father, Mutyala. "When he took the decision to retire early to focus on my cricket, everyone turned upon us. But once you don't have the government job, people treat you so differently and I saw that," he said.Reddy's father played a pivotal role in his development, traveling with him to matches and providing support. "I still remember all these things my father did for me in becoming what I am," he said.For Reddy, the joy of cricket lies in the nostalgia of his childhood days spent on the field. "For me, whenever you play cricket, you should not be feeling that you should take the pressure or something like that. You should just enjoy being in the game, as that's how everything started for me," he said.

India A's tour of Australia commenced with a disappointing start in Mackay on Thursday. The two uncapped players selected for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Nitish Kumar Reddy, failed to make an impact on the opening day of their four-day match against Australia A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.Australia A captain Alex Carey won the toss and elected to field, a decision that proved fruitful. Right-arm fast bowler Jordan Buckingham dismissed openers Easwaran and Ruturaj Gaikwad for 7 and a golden duck, respectively. Brendan Doggett then wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, claiming a five-wicket haul.Easwaran, who has been picked as a backup opener for the five-Test series against Australia, failed to justify his selection. Sai Sudharsan (21) showed some promise, but Doggett ended his innings. Ishan Kishan (9), who is vying for a spot in the Indian team, also fell victim to Doggett.Devdutt Padikkal (36) provided some stability, but he witnessed the dismissal of Baba Indrajith (9) to Australia's Test off-spinner Todd Murphy. Nitish Kumar Reddy, an all-rounder selected for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, had a forgettable outing, dismissed for a six-ball duck by Doggett.Padikkal's dismissal for 36 left India A reeling at 78 for 6. Doggett continued his dominance, claiming the wickets of Manav Suthar (1) and Rajat Patidar (1). At the time of writing, India A were struggling at 86 for 8, with only two wickets remaining.The match serves as a crucial test for the Indian players hoping to impress the selectors ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The performance of Easwaran and Reddy, in particular, will be closely scrutinized.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has finalized its core group for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by retaining Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy as their final two capped players.Head, the Australian batter, is set to receive a hefty INR 14 crore, while Reddy, the Indian all-rounder, will earn INR 6 crore. These signings complete SRH's quota of five capped retained players, joining Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Pat Cummins (INR 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (INR 14 crore).SRH's decision to retain Head is a testament to his impressive performance in the 2024 IPL season. The left-hander smashed 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55, establishing himself as a key player at the top of the order. Head's ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced by his centuries in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, makes him a valuable asset for SRH.Reddy, on the other hand, has seen a significant increase in his value since joining SRH in 2023. The 21-year-old was named the Emerging Player of the Year in IPL 2024 for his all-round contributions. He scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 143 and took three wickets with his seam bowling. Reddy's international debut for India in October further enhances his value.With these retentions, SRH has secured the core group that led them to the IPL 2024 final. The franchise will now have INR 45 crore remaining in their auction purse, which they can use to acquire additional players.

India A's upcoming four-day match against Australia A will serve as a crucial test for three players vying for spots in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna have all been included in the India A squad and will be eager to impress the selectors. Easwaran, in particular, is seen as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma if the Indian captain misses any matches due to personal reasons.Easwaran has a wealth of experience in First-Class cricket, having played 99 matches and scored over 7,600 runs. He has also been part of the Indian squad in the past and has been in impressive form recently, scoring centuries in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, has less impressive First-Class numbers but has been drafted into the squad for his all-round abilities. He is a pace-bowling all-rounder with batting being his stronger suit.Prasidh Krishna is a late addition to the India A squad and will be looking to find some rhythm after returning from injury. He has picked up just seven wickets in his last seven innings across various domestic tournaments.Other players in the India A squad who will be looking to impress include skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini, and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal.The match against Australia A will provide these players with an opportunity to showcase their skills in Australian conditions and stake their claim for a place in the Indian Test squad.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's meteoric rise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Indian Test squad has been a dream come true for the 21-year-old all-rounder. After making his T20I debut against Bangladesh in October, Reddy has now been selected for the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.Reddy's all-round abilities, including his seam-up bowling and aggressive batting, have impressed the BCCI selectors. He is currently in Australia with the India 'A' side, where he has been showcasing his skills in four-day matches against the Australian 'A' team.Despite his impressive performances, Reddy admits that he was not expecting to be included in the Test squad before his performances for the 'A' side. "I was expecting my name to be announced, but not before India 'A' matches," he said. "I thought it might depend on my performance in these 'A' matches. But it seems I have been able to show some promise to them, so I guess they hope I'll do well."Reddy's debut T20I against Bangladesh was a nervous experience, but he was put at ease by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who encouraged him to express himself on the field. "I was a bit nervous initially, but Surya bhai gave me a free hand regarding my approach on the field," Reddy said. "Only by scoring runs and taking wickets will you get that confidence, and I've experienced that already."If Reddy gets a chance to play in the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, he is determined to adapt to the situation and play his role effectively. "I will stick to my role," he said. "I'm just going to respond to the situation. If the situation demands me to play a big shot, I will play it. If the situation demands me to play till stumps, I’ll be ready for that too. I can do both."Reddy's impressive record in first-class cricket, with 708 runs and 55 wickets in 21 matches, is a testament to his all-round abilities. He believes that a tough mindset is essential for success in all forms of cricket. "You need to be tough, that's what I believe," he said. "You have to be very tough in the centre, not just in red-ball, but all forms of cricket. Only those with a tough mindset can survive and deal with whatever situations they face."

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Gautam Gambhir's Guidance Propels All-Rounder's RiseIn the realm of cricket, fast-bowling all-rounders are a rare breed. India has faced a dearth of quality batters who can also bowl pace, with Hardik Pandya being the standout exception. However, with Pandya's India career currently limited to white-ball cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has turned to Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming Australia tour.Reddy has already made a mark with his batting in the T20I series against Bangladesh. As his stock rises in international cricket, he has revealed a valuable tip from coach Gautam Gambhir that has played a pivotal role in his success.In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Reddy shared the insights he gained from Gambhir and other members of the team management during the Bangladesh series. "They encouraged me to play aggressively, with the same approach I displayed in the IPL," Reddy said. "They emphasized playing according to the situation."During a drinks break, Gambhir approached Reddy after he played a reverse sweep that required a DRS review. "He told me, 'Nitish, you have good power. You can clear the boundary line easily. You have no need to play reverse sweep on these kind of wickets because the ball is keeping low,'" Reddy recalled.Reddy's 74-run knock against Bangladesh in the second T20I showcased his batting prowess. He credits Gambhir's guidance for his success during this phase of his career. "He told me to back my power, and I did just that," Reddy said. "The over bowled by the spinner turned out very well for me at that time."Gambhir also provided valuable advice on Reddy's bowling. The pacer typically bowls between 130-135 kmph, but he has the potential to reach speeds over 140 kmph. However, Reddy prioritizes consistency over pace."I feel like bowling 130-135 is good pace," Reddy said. "Rather than trying to bowl faster, I want to focus on consistency. I want to hit the top of the off stump. That's what Gautam sir also kept on mentioning to me."Reddy's all-round abilities have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team. With his batting prowess and developing bowling skills, he is poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming Australia tour.

India vs Bangladesh Live Score: India Eye Series Sweep, Monitor Second-Line PlayersIndia will be aiming to complete a series sweep and continue assessing the progress of their second-line players when they face Bangladesh in the third and final T20I in Hyderabad. The hosts have already secured the series 2-0 after victories in Gwalior and New Delhi.Among the positives for India in this series have been the performances of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Samson has been given the opportunity to open the innings and has shown glimpses of his potential, but he will need to convert his starts into substantial scores to remain in contention for a regular spot.Another player who has impressed is Nitish Kumar Reddy. The all-rounder smashed a 34-ball 74 and took two wickets in the Delhi T20, and he will be hoping to continue his good form in Hyderabad.India's team management is also keeping a close eye on the performances of pacer Mayank Yadav and spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Yadav has bowled at over 150 clicks, while Chakravarthy has taken three wickets in his first outing in blue in three years.Beyond the obvious, India will also be looking to add new pieces to their white-ball jigsaw puzzle ahead of some important assignments such as the Champions Trophy. With a busy schedule of showpiece events both globally and bilaterally, it is critical for the team to have multiple backup options.Despite the inconsequential nature of the third T20I, India will be eager to maintain their momentum and continue monitoring the progress of their second-line players.