Team India's all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has earned praise for his performances in Australia, is expected to feature in the second phase of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Nitish Kumar Reddy's involvement could provide a valuable opportunity for further development amid the turmoil around domestic cricket.
Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered an outstanding performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia, playing all five Tests. The right-handed batsman scored scores of 41 and 38* on his Perth debut. He scored his maiden Test century during a Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne.
The young cricketer scored 298 runs in five Test matches at an average of 37.25 runs. He also contributed with the ball, taking five wickets at an average of 38. The Indian national cricket team lost 1-3 to the Pat Cummins-led side, but Reddy was one of India's best finds in the recently concluded series.
Nitish Kumar Reddy could be available for Andhra in the next phase of the Ranji Trophy
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was India's second-highest run-scorer in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is expected to feature for Andhra Pradesh in the remaining matches of the Ranji Trophy. Reddy played just one match for Ranji this season before his stint in Australia.
Andhra Pradesh, currently ranked seventh in Elite Group B, will face Puducherry from January 23 and Rajasthan from January 30. With four points from three losses and two draws, Reddy's inclusion could boost their chances of picking up wins in their remaining matches.
Nitish has amassed 1,077 runs in 28 first-class matches at an average of 24, with two centuries to his name. In addition to his batting, he took 61 wickets at a bowling average of 27.88, including two five-wicket innings.
This will be a headache for India now – Sanjay Manjrekar
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes Nitish Kumar Reddy's outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could pose a selection headache for India. During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar pointed out that Reddy still has a lot to improve on his bowling skills.
“It's not going to be easy. He's got the basics down, so it's a long journey for him to become like Beau Webster, who looked good as a bowler. This is going to be a headache now for India because he's bowling that type. It's an innings that you don't see a lot of,” Manjrekar said. How many people play it?
“The quality of his innings was the best that an Indian batsman has played in that series. It was not an attacking, you know, taking the bowlers in kind of innings. He showed every aspect of his batting,” the 59-year-old added. .
KL Rahul gears up for the knockout matches of the Karnataka Vijay Hazare Trophy
Earlier, a report said that KL Rahul will miss Karnataka's Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout matches while taking a break, with his availability for the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, starting from January 23, yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal is available for the knockout at VHT. Before heading to Australia to tour India A, he scored four first-class centuries in the Duleep Trophy and the first stage of the Ranji Trophy.
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