Irfan Pathan Backs Reddy: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that young Indian star Nitish Kumar Reddy should have been given more chances in white-ball cricket. Everyone felt that Reddy is an alternative for Hardik Pandya but has failed to live up to the expectations so far.
Irfan Pathan Backs Reddy
Pathan feels that the selectors and the team management should give Reddy more chances, as there are a few fast-bowling all-rounders who can bowl at a speed of 130 kmph. In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, Hardik Pandya has been rested, and Reddy has been selected in the squad.
If we talk about Hardik, then he is India’s first choice as a fast-bowling all-rounder, but his consistent injuries resulted in him playing some limited games for India. Since as of now there is no proper backup for Hardik, Pathan feels that the selectors and management should be patient with Reddy.
Pathan, talking on his YouTube channel, stated,
“Nitish Kumar Reddy should be given more opportunities, even if he fails. There are not many all-rounders who can bowl at 130 kmph and can bat in the middle order. Hardik Pandya became the player he is now because he played regularly for the first 2-3 years. The selectors, the team management, and fans will have to be patient with Nitish Kumar Reddy as well, just like they were with Pandya in the past.”
Further, he said,
“If we don’t show patience, then we will never see the potential turn into performances. So far, the performances have not come from Nitish Kumar Reddy. After the Test Hundred in Melbourne, we have not seen anything special from him in tests; when he has had opportunities in white-ball cricket, even there he has not done well. But there are no other players with such a skillset.”
India’s three-match ODI is to commence on January 11 in Vadodara. The second match will be played on January 14 in Khandheri, and the third ODI will be played in Indore on January 18.
India updated the squad against New Zealand
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel.
Also Read : Former Cricketer Backs Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s Decision To Take Retirement From Quitting Tests & T20Is
