Sunil Gavaskar questions Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection, says all-rounder lacks first-class experience

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has questioned Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection in the opening Test match against Australia in Perth. Reddy was given his maiden Test cap by former Indian skipper Virat Kohli before the start of play on Friday.

Gavaskar said Reddy’s selection has been done more in hope as the all-rounder doesn’t have a lot of first-class experience. The Andhra Pradesh batter has scored 779 runs in 23 first-class matches at a mundane average of 21.05 and he has scalped 56 wickets at an average of 26.98. 

Reddy also could not impress on the tour games against Australia A. Meanwhile, Reddy recently made an impressive start to his T20I career against Bangladesh. The right-hander scored 90 runs in three matches against the Tigers and also picked three wickets but Test cricket is different ball-game. 

“He has not played many first-class games and so clearly, I think, this selection of Nitish is more in hope, nothing less. Like all Indian cricket followers, I hope it comes off,” Gavaskar said on commentary for Star Sports.

On the other hand, Gavaskar also shared his surprise at the absence of veteran all-rounders – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – from India’s playing XI. India has picked Washington Sundar ahead of the experienced duo.

“Really surprised with Ashwin and Jadeja not playing, they have got 900 wickets between them in Test matches. They are not bowlers who can just play in Indian or sub-continent conditions. They are very clever bowlers, they are very experienced bowlers. Even if they might not get you wickets, they will be able to slow the scoring down because of the cleverness of how they bowl,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar said Reddy is a promising cricketer but questioned if the 21-year-old is ready for Test cricket.

“I would have thought that on these Australian wickets, there are big boundaries, so I thought you would have gone with both of them. But this is a new management, new thinking. They have gone with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising cricketer, make no mistake about that. But is he ready for Test cricket?,” Gavaskar opined in commentary.

At lunch, India were struggling at 51-4 after winning the toss.