File picture of Hardik Pandya.© AFP
Former BCCI and Workforce India selector MSK Prasad has expressed concern relating to India’s determination to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy within the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy has performed solely 21 first-class matches up to now, scoring at a mean of solely 21.45. Nevertheless, after impressing in IPL 2024 and subsequently in India colors in T20Is, Reddy has been fast-tracked into the Take a look at squad. Prasad has warned India that Reddy should not be used or anticipated to carry out like Hardik Pandya, and expressed concern over his lack of expertise.
“I suppose as a result of they picked him earlier, and gave him an opportunity. They’re certain about his batting and that he can bowl 8-10 overs like Hardik Pandya used to bowl. However he’s not Hardik, who bowls at 140. He simply bowls at 125 to 130kmph,” mentioned MSK Prasad, chatting with Star Sports activities.
“I just a bit involved together with his expertise in red-ball cricket as a result of he hasn’t performed the format sufficient. He did take about 25 wickets in a couple of of the final home seasons, however nonetheless, I am involved due to the sort of position we gave to Hardik again then after no matter Take a look at cricket he had performed,” Prasad added.
Prasad was the Chief Selector between 2016 and 2020, a interval through which Hardik was launched into Take a look at cricket after impressing primarily in white-ball cricket. Hardik’s Take a look at profession lasted solely 11 Assessments, and he hasn’t performed a red-ball recreation in over six years. On this section, Hardik has typically been slowed down by harm and wanted workload administration.
It’s maybe the identical fear that Prasad has as Reddy can be included into Take a look at cricket.
Whereas Reddy has 55 first-class wickets in 21 video games at a superb common of 26.01, his batting numbers are removed from sensible, having managed solely 708 runs and a solitary century.
Matters talked about on this article