Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Nitish Kumar Reddy’s impressive performance in BGT 2024-25 could become a selection headache for Team India going forward. Reddy, who made his Test debut on the Australian tour despite the lack of first-class experience, was able to catch attention with his impressive batting.
The right-hander from Visakhapatnam scored a majestic knock of 114 runs in the first innings at the MCG and added 127 runs with Washington Sundar to keep India in the contest.
Reddy ended the tour as India’s second-highest run-getter with 298 runs at an average of 37.25 and shined despite batting in the lower order. But with Reddy still a work in progress with the ball, Manjrekar was vocal that his selection didn’t help the team’s combination and he should have played solely as a batter.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “It’s not going to be easy. He’s got the fundamentals, so that’s a long journey for him to become even a bit like Beau Webster, who looked good as a bowler. That’s going to be a headache now for India because he’s played the kind of innings that you don’t see too many people playing,” Manjrekar said.
“His innings quality wise was the best innings an Indian batter played in that series. It was not an attacking, you know, taking the bowlers on kind of innings. He showed every facet of his batting,” the 59-year-old added.
Manjrekar noted that Reddy returned with three low scores after scoring his maiden Test century and he is hopeful that the youngster will remain consistent with the bat.
“After that (hundred) there were three failures. So, you wonder where it’s going. Let’s hope that it’s not just a one-innings wonder. But he’s going to give India some headache because there’s some serious batting talent there. Let’s see how that pans out,” the former India batter concluded.
Reddy also picked eight wickets in five Test matches at an average of 38 and if he can improve his bowling, he could be the seam-bowling all-rounder, which India has been searching for a long time.
