There is a lot of speculation about the changes in India's playing XI for the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy must-win Boxing Day Test against Australia starting on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
As the teams prepare for the crucial fourth Test in Melbourne, the Indian cricket team faces a significant selection dilemma regarding their line-up, especially due to Ravichandran Ashwin's unexpected retirement from international cricket after the Gabba trial.
With the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 tied 1-1, changes to India's playing XI are certainly on the cards and there are even reports that young pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy may be dropped from the squad to bring back a second spin all-rounder Washington Sundar.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Nitish Kumar Reddy to retain his place for the Boxing Day Test
Media reports claimed that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar would both play in the Boxing Day Test; thus, Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to make way for the Tamil Nadu star, but legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels it will be a big blunder if the team management accepts this call.
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The former Indian captain strongly believes that Nitish Kumar Reddy should be in India's playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Gavaskar believes that Reddy, as the fourth seamer, is crucial to the balance of the Indian cricket team and cannot be dropped from the playing XI.
The legendary Indian batsman also stressed that India cannot afford to go into the must-win Test match of the ongoing five-match Test series with just two pacers, predicting that the Gabba Test squad should remain unchanged for the Melbourne meeting.
Can't leave Nitish Kumar Reddy: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports ahead of the fourth MCG Test: “I can't drop Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is the fourth tailor. I don't see India going in with just two pacers and Nitish. For me, it's almost this XI that plays in Melbourne.”
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar also dismissed the idea of replacing Akash Deep with Harshit Rana for the crucial fourth Test against Australia at the MCG.
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However, Akash Deep's bowling in Brisbane was unremarkable with figures of 3/123 but his 31 runs from 44 balls in the 11th over was crucial in helping India to avoid the follow-on and draw against Australia in the third Test. at the Gabba.
Harshit Rana unlikely to replace Akash Deep: Sunil Gavaskar
The legendary batsman believes Harshit Rana is unlikely to replace Akash Deep, especially after the pacer played a key role going forward. He felt that giving up Akash would be pointless. Gavaskar concluded by saying, “Harshit is unlikely to replace Akash Deep. Why would you give up on a man who saved your team from the sequel?”
Besides, the Indian team is also considering changes to the top order for the next Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Rohit Sharma could return to open and KL Rahul could move to No.3 with Shubman Gill facing the axe, struggling with the bat Down Under.