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Gavaskar criticised the decision to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has featured in just 23 first-class games during his domestic career.
Sunil Gavaskar (PTI Photo)
Sunil Gavaskar questioned India’s team selection for the first Test against Australia, underway at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Two young guns – Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy – were handed Test caps for the opening game of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Rana is part of a three-man pace attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah. Reddy has been roped in as a fast-bowling all-rounder while providing batting depth as well. Washington Sundar is the lone spinner in India’s playing eleven. The young all-rounder has been preferred over Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – a decision that has not gone down well with Gavaskar.
The former India opener shared his view on the topic while doing commentary on Day 1 of the Perth Test. Ashwin and Jadeja have been two of the most senior members of the Indian Test squad. Though the pair are known for their dominance in home conditions, Gavaskar feels their experience could come in handy in the BGT opener.
“Really surprised with Ashwin and Jadeja not playing, they have got 900 wickets between them in Test matches. They are not bowlers who can just play in Indian or sub-continent conditions. They are very clever bowlers, they are very experienced bowlers. Even if they might not get you wickets, they will be able to slow the scoring down because of the cleverness of how they bowl,” the 75-year-old said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Gavaskar further criticised the decision to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has featured in just 23 first-class games during his domestic career. The cricketer-turned-pundit reckons the 21-year-old should have been given some more time to get accustomed to Test cricket.
“I would have thought that on these Australian wickets, there are big boundaries, so I thought you would have gone with both of them (Ashwin and Jadeja). But this is a new management, new thinking. They have gone with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising cricketer, make no mistake about that. But is he ready for Test cricket?” Gavaskar explained.
“He has not played many first-class games and so clearly, I think, this selection of Nitish is more in hope, nothing less. Like all Indian cricket followers, I hope it comes off,” he added.
With the youngsters in charge, India faced a batting collapse in the first innings of the Perth Test. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel returned with ducks, senior batters like Virat Kohli managed just five runs.
KL Rahul, who opened with Jaiswal, appeared to be in good form but ultimately fell victim to a controversial LBW decision that ended his knock at 26 runs. India have yet to breach the 100-run mark, with Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar unbeaten at the crease.
- Location :
Perth, Australia
