The former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has praised all-rounder Nitish Reddy as Hardik Pandya’s ideal test replacement after his maiden century of the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Gavaskar highlights Reddy’s performance in the ongoing AUS vs IND series, especially his maiden century at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Reddy’s century came under pressure and helped the side to avoid follow-on and gave a fighting chance for the side before the visitors collapsed during the second innings.
“The Melbourne Test brought to the fore one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket, Nitish Kumar Reddy.”
“He came to the attention of the Indian cricket fans with his performances for the Hyderabad franchise in the IPL, and while he had not done much at the first-class level, it’s a credit to Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors to have seen enough to pitchfork him into the Test arena,” said Gavaskar.
In four tests, Nitish Reddy has amassed 294 runs and claimed three wickets, showcasing his potential as a building star in Indian cricket.
“In his debut Test match in Perth itself, it became evident that here was a cricketer who could read situations and play accordingly. With every subsequent Test match, that impression of a good ‘cricketing head’ on his shoulders began to get stronger and stronger,” he added.
Sunil Gavaskar noted that Reddy has shown maturity beyond his years and appears more suited to conditions.
“Ever since the unavailability of Hardik Pandya for Test cricket, India has been looking for an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace and bat as well. Reddy’s bowling is still a work in progress, but as a batter, he is better than Pandya was around the same time,” he wrote.
He also reflected on Reddy’s debut in Perth, where he exhibited his ability to adapt to different match situations. Gavaskar emphasized that Reddy possesses a sharp cricketing mind and the temperament required for the longest format of the game.
India has struggled to find a reliable all-rounder in Tests since Pandya departed from red-ball cricket due to injuries. Once an integral part of the test squad, Hardik shifted his focus to white-ball formats, leaving a void in India’s lineup.
Reddy’s emergence as a capable batter with potential in bowling seems to have resolved the lingering issue. His performance has drawn comparisons to Pandya but also established him as a player with the ability to contribute in high-pressure situations.
While Reddy’s batting has already impressed, Gavaskar cautioned that his bowling remains a work in progress. Despite this, the youngster’s ability to deliver in crunch moments and adapt to test cricket signals a bright future.
India aims for a balanced test squad for the World Test Championship cycle, and Reddy’s rise has come at the perfect time. His all-round abilities promise to add depth and flexibility to the team, potentially making him a mainstay in the test setup for years to come.
Australia currently leads the series 2-1 after an 184-run win against India in Melbourne. The fifth test of the Australia tests will begin on January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
