Former India cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has raised pointed questions about the team management's handling of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, wondering how India plans to build for the future when the player is consistently left warming the benches.
Chopra's Direct Challenge to Team Management
The critique comes ahead of India's three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting soon. Chopra took to social media platform X to express his bewilderment. He highlighted that Nitish Kumar Reddy has not played a 50-over game for India since the second ODI against Australia in October 2025.
"Also, if NKR is indispensable…why doesn’t he get a game? Even when India’s fielding 3 pacers?? Will he get a game now?? With four pacers?" Chopra wrote. He posed the central, critical question: "How can you get future-ready (read for Pandya’s absence) when he’s always warming the bench?"
Chopra also touched upon other selection puzzles in the same thread. He questioned why Rishabh Pant wasn't tried at number 4 during the recent South Africa series in Shreyas Iyer's absence, especially since Pant is being carried as the backup wicketkeeper.
The 'Future Project' That Isn't Playing
The focus on Nitish Kumar Reddy isn't new. The team management itself has previously identified him as a crucial project. During the West Indies Test series last year, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explicitly stated that developing Reddy into India's primary seam-bowling all-rounder was a "medium-term objective."
Ten Doeschate, the former Netherlands captain, had emphasized the importance of having such a player for overseas tours. "We think he’s a fantastic seam bowling all-rounder," he had remarked, justifying his selection then to maintain team balance.
However, the recent squad selections tell a different story. Reddy was part of the ODI squad for the South Africa series but did not get a single game. His last ODI appearance remains the match in Perth against Australia over a year ago.
Squad Dynamics: Returns and Omissions
The Indian squad for the New Zealand ODIs saw the return of captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer from injury. Their comebacks directly led to the omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had scored a century at No. 4 against South Africa, and Tilak Varma.
Furthermore, pacer Mohammed Siraj has returned to the ODI setup, replacing backup batsman Tilak Varma. With Rishabh Pant retained, Dhruv Jurel has been dropped from the squad.
Amidst these comings and goings, Nitish Kumar Reddy retains his place in the squad. Yet, Chopra's query underscores a growing concern: is mere squad inclusion enough for a player being groomed for a vital, long-term role? The upcoming series against New Zealand will be closely watched to see if the team management provides the promising all-rounder with the on-field time required to prepare him for the future.
