Nitish Kumar Reddy is very likely to return to India’s Test team for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. Reddy, who was let go prior to the Eden Gardens Test so that he could play India A games against South Africa, may be the Indian think tank’s effective recall according to the newspaper TOI. Besides, the hosts are now worried about the possible non-participation of their captain Shubman Gill.
India to introduce Nitish Kumar Reddy to manage Gill’s injury
Shubman Gill, who got a neck cramp while doing a sweep shot on the second day of the Eden Gardens Test, was instantly taken off the field, and the BCCI has said that he is being watched medically.
Shubman Gill’s pictures, showing him in a cervical collar, have also been shared widely, suggesting that the star batter may not recover soon enough
Gill’s injury has not healed yet, and since the next Test in Guwahati is only four days away, India may opt to call back Nitish Kumar Reddy and thus fortify the playing XI with all-rounder’s strength.
Gautam Gambhir and Co. at first thought that the all-rounder required more time to get accustomed to the bat as well as to get more bowling done by playing the India-A fixtures against South Africa
However, it is said that the injury of Gill has made the hosts hasten the rejoining of Reddy. Thus, Reddy is most likely to be a part of the Indian team prior to their practice session on November 18 and will not take part in the last One-Day against South Africa-A.
Reddy could fortify the Indian attack
Reddy’s entry in the squad can be an intelligent move as not only it will give the host the opportunity to present the left-right combination but also to smoothen the match-ups with the Proteas thus making it favorable for India.
In the first Test, India witnessed a debacle, thus, raising Reddy’s batting power in the middle order or lower middle order will be an assets even though he has not been officially declared as a substitute for Gill yet.
Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan are the two players who are in the queue for Gill’s substitution, with the latter being seen practicing during the innings break at Eden Gardens.
