As India looks ahead to the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), all eyes are on fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is being fast-tracked by the BCCI for red-ball cricket. Reddy, who made his India debut during the T20I series against Bangladesh, is now in the spotlight with the possibility of a key role in India’s Test squad, should he perform well in the upcoming India A series against Australia A.
Opportunity to shine against Australia A
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included in the India A squad for the two-match red-ball series against Australia A, which begins on 31 October in Mackay. This series will serve as a crucial test for the 21-year-old, as strong performances could pave the way for him to be selected for the main India squad in the Border Gavaskar Trophy starting on 22 November. His selection would mark a significant moment in his rapid rise in Indian cricket.
Reddy is joined by several prominent players, including Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-captain), and Sai Sudharsan, who are also vying for a spot in the senior team. The two red-ball matches, followed by a three-day intra-squad game, will allow these players to showcase their talent before India’s senior team takes on Australia.
Nitish Kumar Reddy rapid rise in Indian Cricket
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey from a relatively unknown cricketer in Visakhapatnam to a national contender has been nothing short of remarkable. After making his first-class debut for Andhra at just 16, Reddy was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023. Though his initial appearances were limited, he proved his worth in IPL 2024, scoring 303 runs at a strike-rate of 142.92. His growth as a cricketer was further recognised when he was included in India’s T20I series against Bangladesh.
Now, Reddy’s inclusion in the India A squad signals the trust the selectors have in his potential to become a crucial player for India, particularly as a fast-bowling all-rounder—a role where India has struggled to find consistent performers apart from Hardik Pandya.
Path to Border Gavaskar Trophy for Nitish Kumar Reddy
The India A vs Australia A series is not just an opportunity for players to impress; it is a proving ground. Nitish Kumar Reddy, with his ability to contribute both with the bat and the ball, is in pole position to make a strong case for his inclusion in the senior squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The matches in Mackay and Melbourne will be closely watched by the selectors as they finalise the team that will face Australia in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.
If Reddy’s performances align with the high expectations, his name could very well be called for the first Test against Australia, marking another step in his fast-tracked career.
India A squad for Australia Tour
Squad – Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian
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