Sanjay Manjrekar, the former Indian cricketer, has recently spoken highly of Nitish Reddy’s exceptional batting talent following his performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy, at just 21 years old, has made an impact with his aggressive batting, scoring vital runs for India in challenging conditions. In the first two Tests of the series, he provided crucial contributions, including a 41 in the opening match and 42 in the second.
Manjrekar praised Reddy’s ability to handle Australia’s quality bowling, noting that his technique and game awareness have stood out. Despite limited first-class experience, Reddy’s composure and flair have marked him as one of India’s potential stars for the future. However, Manjrekar also expressed concern that Reddy’s inclusion in India’s playing XI may be at risk if the team looks to adjust its balance, especially after the defeat in the Adelaide Test.
The Indian team, following a dominant victory in the Perth Test, faced a humbling 10-wicket loss in Adelaide, which raised questions about the right combination for the third Test in Brisbane. With India potentially considering the inclusion of an additional fast bowler or altering the batting lineup to improve the team’s balance, Manjrekar warned that Reddy might be the player to make way. While Reddy’s batting has been impressive, Manjrekar stressed that the team must prioritize creating a more potent bowling attack to remain competitive.
Reddy has shown significant promise, but Manjrekar’s comments suggest that the selection committee might prioritize balance over individual form. Given that India has formidable options in both batting and bowling, the inclusion of an extra bowler might make Reddy’s position in the team vulnerable, especially if the team opts for a more traditional approach with six specialist batsmen and five bowlers. Manjrekar, while acknowledging Reddy’s potential, emphasized that it might be too early for him to become a permanent fixture in India’s Test lineup.
The selection for the third Test in Brisbane will be critical for both the Indian team’s strategy and Reddy’s future in the series. Manjrekar’s remarks reflect the ongoing balancing act that captains and selectors face when picking a side for challenging overseas conditions. The outcome of this series could shape Reddy’s trajectory in Indian cricket, but for now, the pressure remains on the selectors to make the right choices.