Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned the team management over the Nitish Kumar Reddy call in the first ODI against New Zealand. You saw Reddy sit on the bench despite being in the squad. This happened even when Hardik Pandya missed the match.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Left Out Despite Squad Spot
India opted for a combination of three fast bowlers and three spinners. The pace attack featured Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. The spin unit included Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Aakash Chopra Questions Team Logic
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra openly questioned the decision. He asked why Nitish Kumar Reddy was selected if there was no intent to play him. You could sense his concern about the gap between selectors and team management.
Match Time Is Key for Nitish Kumar Reddy
Chopra stressed that a player improves only through match exposure. He said Nitish Kumar Reddy cannot be expected to be ready without game time. You either play him or allow him to feature in tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Would Playing Reddy Change the Result
Chopra dismissed the idea that playing Reddy would weaken the team. He questioned whether India would have lost because of him. According to Chopra, if you do not trust a player, you should not select him at all.
New Zealand Experience Gap Highlighted
Chopra also pointed out New Zealand’s lack of experience. He noted that Rohit Sharma alone has more runs than their entire lineup. Even Kuldeep Yadav has more wickets, making it an ideal situation to back Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Next Match Details
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will take place in Rajkot on Wednesday. All eyes will now be on team selection. You will be watching closely to see if Nitish Kumar Reddy finally gets his opportunity.
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