Nitish Reddy was one of the few positives in an otherwise disappointing tour of Australia for the Indian team. While India suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat in the five-match Test series, the young all-rounder managed to make a big impact.
After being named in the Test team, not many expected him to find a place in the eleven. However, the team management gave him a chance right from the first Test and Nitish Reddy did not disappoint. He played in all five Tests and made a number of useful contributions.
He managed to contribute with both bat and ball during the series. With the bat, the Andhra all-rounder scored 298 runs at an average of 37.25, including a scintillating century in the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the ball, the youngster picked up five wickets at an average of 38.00.
Sanjay Bangar's Prediction for Nitish Reddy:
With the all-rounder impressing in the challenging tour, many believe that he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. Many have also backed to become regulars for Team India in all three formats. However, India's former batsman and all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has a different view.
Speaking to Star Sports, the former cricketer said that Nitish Reddy would struggle to find a place in the ODI and T20I squad. Not only that, but Bangar also said that Reddy is unlikely to be picked in the squad for the home Tests, calling him “an extremely critical member for overseas Test matches”.
Bangar made this comment when asked if Nitish Reddy will be picked in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against England.
“It's still early days for me. Here's a chance for you, if you cast your mind back over the past 10-12 years, who was the guy who did this really well? Irfan Pathan is the one who comes to my mind, who bowled with the new ball or a change and also gave you runs whenever you needed,” said Sanjay Bangar.
“Irfan has come out of the under-19 system. Nitish is not someone who has come out of the under-19 system. He has passed that stage. For me, he is an extremely critical member for overseas Test matches. I don't think he will find a place either in the 50-over format or the T20 format or for that matter even in home matches,” Bangar added.
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Speaking further, Bangar said that the bowler is a player who can provide the team with an ideal balance for overseas Test matches. He said Nitish Reddy's real value is in the Test squad for overseas matches. He also advised Reddy to hone his bowling skills at the National Cricket Academy.
“However, here's a player who can give you the ideal balance for overseas matches and that's where the real value is,” he said.
“He's not necessarily traveling with the Indian team there, but whenever he's not on national duty or his state service, the National Cricket Academy has a huge role to play in terms of getting him on that workload for to play 10 or 15 overs. really with penetration, and that's an opportunity that's very, very attractive,” he added.