Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team management for their handling of Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Reddy has been picked in the squad for the New Zealand ODIs.
Chopra noted that while Reddy has been part of India’s squad across all formats, he hasn’t received his chances in the playing XI consistently. Reddy didn’t bowl a lot in the Test series against the West Indies and bowled only 10 overs in the second Test against South Africa.
“We have made Nitish Kumar Reddy a part of the team. In fact, we make him a part of the team so many times, in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, that we feel he might have played 50-60 matches for India. He hasn’t played, and that’s because he doesn’t get that many opportunities,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator added that the youngster is neither included in the playing XI nor utilized effectively.
“He remains in the team, but doesn’t play. When he plays, I remember the Ahmedabad Test match where he didn’t get to bat and he was bowled five or six overs, and when they reached Delhi, he was made to bat up the order, but India bowled 200 overs across two innings, and he wasn’t bowled a single over,” he elaborated.
The cricketer-turned-commentator questioned the think tank for not playing Nitish Kumar Reddy even when Hardik Pandya is not available.
“We take him everywhere, whether it’s Australia or the home games against South Africa, but we don’t play him. It’s understandable if he doesn’t play when Hardik Pandya is playing, but why don’t you play him when Hardik Pandya isn’t available?” he said.
Chopra raised concerns regarding developing Nitish Kumar Reddy at the top level if he doesn’t get his opportunities.
“How will you prepare him if you don’t play him? It’s a big question. Why do you have to prepare him? If Hardik isn’t available, say in South Africa, we want to get somebody ready. So this is your chance to prepare, but who has gotten prepared by sitting out? He is in the team, he is indispensable, but he can’t play,” Chopra observed.
Reddy would look to prove his mettle in the ODI series against the Kiwis if he gets his chances.
