“He is not like Hardik Pandya, who clocks 140 kmph”: Former selector gives a brutal verdict on youngster’s selection for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former India Chief Selector MSK Prasad has said that Nitish Kumar Reddy will not be as impactful as Hardik Pandya in Test cricket. The all-rounder has been picked for the five-Test match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
After his impressive performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and the T20I series against Bangladesh, the selectors decided to fast-track him for the most extended format of the game. In the second game against Bangladesh, Nitish was named the Player of the Match for scoring 74 runs off 34 balls and taking two wickets.
Prasad believes that Nitish’s selection is premature.
“The selectors think he can bat and bowl 8-10 overs like Hardik Pandya. He is not Hardik and can’t clock 140 kmph. His speed revolves around 125-130 kmph. I am concerned with his experience in red-ball cricket because he hasn’t played enough matches.
“He took 25 wickets in a few domestic matches, but I am still not convinced considering the kind of role Hardik played for India in limited Test matches. I hope he performs well in the two India A matches he is supposed to play,” MSK Prasad said on Star Sports.
Prasad spotted Nitish Kumar Reddy’s talent when he played Under-12 and Under-14 cricket for Andhra Pradesh.
India have been undefeated against Australia in the Test series for a decade and also won two back-to-back BGT Down Under.
India’s squad for Australia Tests: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana. , Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
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