Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy’s place in the first Test match against the West Indies, which India won comprehensively by an innings and 140 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Reddy had a limited role in India’s convincing victory, bowling only four overs in the first innings. The right-hander didn’t get a chance to bat in the first innings when India piled on 448-5 after the Windies were bowled out for 162.
“What did we do with Nitish Kumar Reddy? You played him the match. You bowled him six (four) overs. After that, you didn’t make him bat. He was pushed down to No. 8, and after that, he didn’t get to bat (bowl) in the second innings. He took an excellent catch, but did we do the right thing?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“When you are playing against a team that is not going to challenge you, is it not your responsibility not only to garner 100 percent points, but also to prepare your players? In my opinion, it was wrong. Now Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) plays at No. 6 and Washington Sundar plays at No. 7, in any case. So you will drop Nitish Kumar Reddy after two matches,” he added.
Chopra said India should not have declared despite getting a huge lead of 286 and they should have allowed Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to continue batting.
“He (Reddy) scored a century in Melbourne, played his last Test at Lord’s, then he got injured, and if you have played him now, get him to do something at least. I couldn’t understand at all what we gained by ending the Test match in two-and-a-half days. You would have gotten 100 percent points even if the match had ended in three days,” he said.
The renowned commentator said Reddy should have been given the chance to bat against the West Indies in the first innings.
“You would have had to stay a little longer on the ground, and that too, it wouldn’t have been our bowlers but theirs. Jaddu and Washi would have played, and then Nitish would have played. Is Nitish Kumar Reddy a batter or a bowler first? I feel he is a batter first who bowls a little. So, is keeping him at No. 8 right?” Chopra observed.
India will take on the West Indies in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delh, from October 10 onwards.
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