Nitish Kumar Reddy received much thrashing after his poor and unconvincing show continued in the longest format of the game for India. He was dismissed for a duck while attempting a reverse sweep of Simon Harmer during the second innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made his debut in October last year for India, rose to fame after scoring a century against Australia in Melbourne.
The all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy failed to play an equally promising knock in the few opportunities he got afterwards. For the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, he was picked in the Playing XI with Axar Patel being snubbed. In the first four days of the match, Nitish Kumar Reddy failed to make an impact. He scored just 10 runs in his first innings and bowled 10 wicketless overs in total at an economy slightly over six by the end of play on Day 4.
India lost the South Africa tour, and several cricket enthusiasts have been blaming someone or something for the losses. For the former World Cup winner from India, one of the reasons is the unwanted burden of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who does not have any proper role to play in the Indian team. Picked as an all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy neither bowls more than 10 overs a game nor does he bat anywhere before no. 8. This has led to a huge question over what his actual function is within the team.
Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth is now well-known for taking controversial jibes at Indian cricketers who have failed to be promising after being picked for the team. After Harshit Rana, this time, he takes an insulting dig at young Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Kris Srikkanth slams all rounder Nitish Reddy for his dismal performance in the 2nd Test vs SA
Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth lashed out at all-rounder Nitish Reddy, slamming his bowling quality. Former batter Kris Srikkanth gave a blunt take on all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy after the second Test between India and South Africa. The hosts were handed a massive 408-run defeat, which meant they were whitewashed 0-2 in the series.
Kris Srikkanth questioned the team selection, stating that there was no clarity around Nitish Reddy’s role. Picked as an all-rounder, Reddy batted at number eight and bowled just 10 overs in the match.
“Nitish Kumar Reddy, I don’t know whether he is a batter, bowler, or fielder,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel ‘Cheeky Cheeka’.
He pointed out that Nitish Kumar Reddy had no noteworthy performance with the bat after his hundred against Australia in Melbourne. Kris Srikkanth believes there was confusion regarding his role, which also put the player under stress.
“Nitish Reddy, after Australia, has had a total slide. The knocks against West Indies I don’t take it seriously. You can’t consider him as a batter, or a bowler because he hardly bowls. If you say he is a pure batter he is coming at number eight. There is confusion and that poor boy is also under stress and is fighting for his place. I am not blaming him but blaming the system.”
Since his 114 at Melbourne, Nitish Kumar Reddy has just one significant performance – the 43 against the West Indies in the second Test of the previous home series. He has bowled only 86 overs in 10 Tests, bagging eight wickets at an average of 45.75.Kris Srikkanth acknowledged that India missed Shubman Gill. Gill did not take part in the second Test, and Rishabh Pant led the side in his absence.
Srikkanth pointed out that Pant did not do well as a batter while leading the team. He even urged to bring Virat Kohli back, who has retired from Test cricket, highlighting the need for stable batters in the side.
“We have seen Pant’s batting form while captaining. Last two years in the IPL also he had a lot of problems. We have missed Shubman Gill. But I will go one step further and say bring back Kohli. You might think what am I saying we did well in England. Yes, I am not saying no. But the point is, there is no stable batter apart from Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Pant. Everybody is playing for their place. The right word for the problem is insecurity,” he said.
India were set a target of 549 in the final innings of the second Test. They were bowled out for 140 in 63.5 overs. Kris Srikkanth believes the hosts lost the game even before they walked out to bat. He called out the defensive mindset and overcautious approach.
“India knew they were out of this game in the dressing room itself because they had to play 7-8 hours. Look at how everybody got out. They were so overcautious. They were not out on the field, they were out in the dressing room before coming to bat itself.”
The Indian batters struggled throughout the series with totals of 189, 93, 201, and 140 in four innings. There’s a long gap now with India not playing any Test cricket until late next year. Who knows what changes lie ahead in the intervening period. This moment, though, is all about South Africa and the remarkable win they’ve pulled off. Plenty for them to celebrate before the ODIs get under way.
Also Read: IND VS SA: Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-Wicket Haul Sinks South Africa In The Evening Session.