Hardik Pandya is one of a kind. Forget Indian cricket; there isn’t another pace-bowling all-rounder of his quality in world cricket. Therefore, his absence is felt more than any other player’s. What he brings with both bat and ball can’t be matched. But, due to his unique profile, injury follows him as well.
Therefore, in times like the India vs Australia 1st ODI, the management had to try someone else. Right now, there’s no one better than Nitish Kumar Reddy as Hardik’s replacement. Since he broke onto the scene in 2024, the all-rounder from Andhra continues to impress.
Lack of trust from Gambhir & Gill
He was rightfully handed his ODI debut cap by Rohit Sharma, making him the first player from Andhra to play for India in all formats. But Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill didn’t show the same faith in him as they do with Hardik. In the rain-hit match, Nitish was sent to bat at number eight.
This was despite him scoring a Test hundred in Australia less than 12 months ago. But Gambhir and Gill sent Axar Patel and Washington Sundar ahead of him. He came out to bat in the 24th over, with just 21 balls left in the innings. Nitish wasn’t affected, though.
Nitish Reddy ends the innings on a high
He took a few singles as wickets fell, KL Rahul and Harshit Rana, around him. Nitish was 6 (5) before the last over began. With just one wicket left, he decided to take the strike for the entire over and refused singles. Nitish backed himself, and it paid off as he smashed Matt Kuhnemann for two sixes in the over and helped India finish 136/9 in 26 overs.
His 11-ball 19 was enough to show what abilities he possesses. Until his bowling grows, one can’t label him as a true replacement for Hardik. But his batting is thereabouts or perhaps even better. One understands why Gambhir and Gill have picked him, but perhaps showing a little more faith in him might do them and Team India loads of good.
