Ravichandran Ashwin questions Nitish Kumar Reddy’s exclusion from IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy’s exclusion from India’s playing XI in the opening ODI against South Africa at Ranchi. Ashwin said there is something wrong in squad selection if Reddy can’t get his chance despite the absence of Hardik Pandya in the squad. 

Reddy played in the second Test match against the Proteas and returned with scores of 10 and 0. The all-rounder is part of the ODI squad but spin all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja were preferred ahead of him.

“If we are not able to find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in a team that does not have Hardik Pandya, then there is something wrong in the squad selection, seriously,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“Why was he picked? Because the fact that he can give what Hardik can give, and can get better over a period of time. But, if we can’t find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in this particular XI, then the squad selection must be properly reviewed,” R Ashwin continued.

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad was backed at number four in the batting order but he was dismissed after scoring only eight runs. Ashwin said it doesn’t make any sense to play Tilak Varma after Gaikwad was given his deserved chance in the final XI.

“You gave an opportunity to Ruturaj, so it doesn’t make sense to go to Tilak Varma right now. So, give him a longer run and then decide what your right combination is,” Ashwin opined.

Varma has scored 68 runs in four ODIs but he scored a match-winning knock in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. 

The second ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur on Wednesday.