Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role as an all-rounder after 0-2 series loss against South Africa. After not being part of the team in the opening game, Reddy could not grab his opportunity in the second game.
The right-hander returned with scores of 10 and 0 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Furthermore, Reddy bowled only 10 overs in the Test match.
Moreover, Kaif also questioned Washington Sundar’s role. The off-spinner could only take a solitary wicket in two Test matches against the Proteas at an average of 128.
Citing Ravindra Jadeja’s example, Kaif said Reddy and Sundar should take a leaf out of the veteran all-rounder’s book. The former UP batter said the duo should strengthen one suit before focusing on the other.
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Washington Sundar has just come in and is already being called an all-rounder. Reddy is being called an all-rounder. Becoming an all-rounder takes a lot of time. First you must be a specialist. Tell me clearly, is Nitish Reddy a batter or a bowler? Jadeja has set a great example. Copy him. First bowling, bowling, bowling, then he kept improving his batting, gained experience, played long innings in Ranji, and scored runs.”
“Only then did he become such a good batter that he now scores overseas as well. He plays turning tracks, he defends well, he sweeps well, his game plan is solid. There is no bigger example than Jadeja of how to become an all-rounder. He became the world’s number one Test all-rounder only recently, not earlier. He achieved that in the last few years,” he added.
On the other hand, Kaif slammed KL Rahul for his struggles against spin. Rahul could only manage 68 runs in two Test matches against the visitors.
“KL Rahul must be disappointed, because the way he got out to spin. He is not getting out to pace, he is getting trapped by Maharaj, the left-arm spinner. After playing for so many years, KL Rahul still needs to improve his game against spin. There is no other option. Remember when he toured Bangladesh? Even there he kept getting stuck against the spinners. He struggles a lot against spin. We know KL Rahul is an opener, but against good-quality spin, the kind that pitches it in the right spot and slows it up slightly, he struggles. He does not get his front foot forward enough. He wants to play with his hands, but when the hard ball turns sharply, you cannot just throw your bat at it.”
India will next take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series.
