India's young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland due to a left hamstring injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Monday, stating that Reddy's availability for the subsequent tour of England remains doubtful.
Injury Details and Timeline
Reddy sustained the injury during a net session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. According to BCCI sources, the 21-year-old has been advised two to three weeks of rest and rehabilitation. The injury is a Grade 1 strain, which typically requires a recovery period of 10 to 14 days, but the BCCI is taking a cautious approach to avoid any long-term damage.
The Ireland T20I series is scheduled to begin on July 10 in Dublin, with matches on July 10, 12, and 14. Reddy's absence is a significant blow to the Indian team management, which was looking to test the depth of the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
Impact on England Tour
The five-match T20I series against England is set to start on July 27 in Southampton. With Reddy's recovery timeline overlapping with the tour, his participation is now under a cloud. A BCCI official stated, "We are monitoring Nitish's progress closely. The decision on his availability for the England series will be taken after assessing his recovery in the next 10 days."
Reddy was expected to be a key player in the England series, providing balance to the side with his right-arm fast bowling and aggressive batting in the middle order. His absence could force the selectors to consider alternatives such as Venkatesh Iyer or Shivam Dube.
Replacement Options
The BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for the Ireland series. Among the contenders are all-rounders like Raj Bawa and Harshit Rana, who have impressed in domestic cricket. Bawa, in particular, has been in good form with both bat and ball in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
According to a source close to the selection committee, "The team management wants someone who can bat in the lower middle order and bowl a few overs. We have a few options, and the final call will be taken in the next couple of days."
Reddy's Recent Form
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been on the radar of the national selectors after consistent performances in the IPL and domestic cricket. In the 2025 IPL season, he scored 345 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 152.3 and took 8 wickets. His ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 km/h makes him a valuable asset in the shortest format.
Reddy made his T20I debut earlier this year against Bangladesh and has played 5 matches, scoring 78 runs and taking 3 wickets. The injury is a setback in his burgeoning career, but the BCCI is confident he will recover in time for the home series against Australia later this year.
