Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy’s non-selection in the first ODI against New Zealand. Reddy, who is part of the squad, was not given a place in the final XI despite the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Chopra highlighted that the team management should either tell the selectors not to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy or play him in the team. India played with three fast bowlers and as many spinners in the series opener against the Kiwis.
Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna were the three fast bowlers, whereas Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar were the three spinners.
Chopra questioned how Reddy would improve his game if he didn’t get his chances.
“When India won the toss and chose the team, I asked a question. Why have you kept Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team? What’s the logic behind it? Either the team management is not at all thinking what the selectors are thinking. You select him, but they don’t play him. These are the conditions where three fast bowlers are playing, but Nitish Kumar Reddy doesn’t get to play,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“So I don’t know when and how he will get ready. There is Reddy in his name, but he is not ready because he is not being allowed to get ready. Either tell the selectors not to select him as we won’t play him, and let him play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, if the selectors are selecting him and you are keeping him in the team, play him sometime at least,” he added.
The renowned commentator further wondered if playing Nitish Kumar Reddy would have resulted in India’s loss.
“No one should turn around and tell me that this team (New Zealand) troubled us so much. What if we had lost? Would we have lost by playing Nitish Kumar Reddy? Is he such a bad player? Don’t play him if we would have lost. Then drop him. Don’t select him. It doesn’t happen like that,” he said.
Chopra highlighted that New Zealand has a lot of inexperience in their squad and Reddy should have been played.
“This entire team has fewer runs than Rohit Sharma. This entire team has half the wickets Kuldeep Yadav has. That’s the experience. Even in such a scenario, if you are feeling that you would lose the match if we play Nitish Kumar Reddy, then don’t select him. When will you make Reddy ready? I don’t have an answer to that question, and I am still searching,” Chopra observed.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Rajkot on Wednesday.
