Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has provided a positive update on Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of the T20I series against Australia. Reddy made his ODI debut against Australia at Perth but he was ruled out of the third game due to a quadriceps injury.

The all-rounder has played four T20I matches so far and he has been given his chance to prove his mettle in the absence of injured Hardik Pandya. Pandya had suffered an injury before the Asia Cup final against Pakistan.

“I think he is doing fine. Yesterday he did a bit of running, and batting also in the nets. Today he wanted to take a break as it was an optional practice, but we came to the ground because we had a team meeting and wanted to stay with the group. He looks good,” Suryakumar Yadav told reporters in Canberra.

Meanwhile, in the absence of Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube was given the new ball in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. SKY said he doesn’t put any pressure on his bowlers and tries to get the best out of them.

“No, no, I don’t put pressure on anyone. He knows how these conditions are, and how to bowl here. He has been working really hard on his bowling, and that is why I gave him those overs in the Asia Cup Final. I’ve been playing with him for the last 8-10 years, toh mujhe pata thha ladka kitna paani mei hai. If there is an opportunity tomorrow, then why not? If he gets to bowl against a quality team (like Australia), his confidence will grow,” Suryakumar Yadav said.

The Indian skipper played down the idea that they would start afresh after the Asia Cup.

“I think that is long gone now; it has been a month, more than a month. The team looks good, the atmosphere is good, we had good fun on the ground in the last 2 days, so really looking forward to this,” the skipper added.

The first T20I between India and Australia will be played at Canberra on Wednesday.