Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has urged India’s think tank to keep backing Nitish Kumar Reddy. Karthik reckons Reddy can become a good all-rounder for India if he continues to get a longer run in the team.
Reddy was added to the team’s playing XI in place of Shivam Dube in the third T20I at Holkar Stadium, Indore, which India won by 14 runs. The right-hander scored 21 runs off 14 balls but didn’t have the rub of the green as he was caught down the leg side. Furthermore, he returned with figures of 1-19 in the two overs he bowled.
“In T20 cricket, on such flat pitches, if you lack pace below a certain point, it is gettable. He is a bowler who is getting better, I feel. His confidence is showing with every game that he is playing. They have tried him with the new ball, they have probably realised that is not what they want out of him. So, they have bowled him in the middle overs, and they have given him good overs, overs where he is not under immense pressure,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“For him, it is actually going to be about accuracy. I thought he batted nicely, got caught down the leg side, and that is never a nice feeling. I do feel that if you keep giving him the confidence, he can blossom into a good all-rounder,” Karthik added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane said captain Shreyas Iyer has confidence in Naman Dhir. The off-spinner returned with figures of 2-39 in three overs he bowled and got both his wickets after getting hit for a six.
“Shreyas has that confidence in Naman Dhir. Yes, he went for runs, but what is important is picking up wickets. In this format, if you are picking up wickets, you are probably going to win matches, and that is what is really important. I am sure he is working hard on his bowling,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
The fourth T20I between India and the West Indies will be played at Hyderabad on Wednesday.
