The announcement of the Team India Squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy has increased the excitement for the Test Series. Rohit Sharma will lead the charge, and the Men in Blue have the perfect blend of young energy and veteran experience. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee inducted several debutants who are also named in the squad, which has added a lot of intrigue among the fans. However, a former chief selector is not intrigued with the squad’s one particular selection.

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Former BCCI Selector Warned Regarding Debutant Player, Says ‘He’s Not Hardik Pandya ‘

While speaking to Star Sports, former BCCI Chief Selector MSK Prasad sounded worried for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was named on Team India’s BGT Squad. He claimed that Reddy is not like Hardik Pandya, who could bowl to 140kmph, while he can bowl a 125-130 kmph delivery. Prasad expects Reddy to make proper use of the India A matches ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series.

“I suppose because they picked him earlier, and gave him a chance. They are sure about his batting and that he can bowl 8-10 overs like Hardik Pandya used to bowl. But he is not Hardik, who bowls at 140. He just bowls at 125 to 130kmph. And maybe they could have… I just a little concerned with his experience in red-ball cricket because he hasn’t played the format enough.

India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy hits the ball during the 2nd T20I match between India and Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India | Image: BCCI  

“He did take about 25 wickets in a few of the last domestic seasons, but still, I’m concerned because of the kind of role we gave to Hardik back then after whatever Test cricket he had played. I hope he makes good use of the two India A matches he is supposed to play,” MSK Prasad expressed.

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Nitish Kumar Reddy made a name for himself in the IPL 2024 season. Since then, he has been on a roll and went on to make his India debut at the India-Bangladesh T20I Series in Gwalior. Reddy lacks international experience and could not perform up to the mark in the Duleep Trophy, but his recent performance at the Ranji Trophy with the ball has been solid. It is yet to be seen whether Nitish Kumar Reddy receives the call to make his debut against Australia or warms the bench.