"I think, this selection of Nitish is more in hope, nothing less" - Sunil Gavaskar unhappy with Team India's selection calls for 1st BGT 2024-25 TestÂ
Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has criticized the Men in Blue think tank for their team selection for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth. He failed to understand the reasoning behind the exclusion of both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and the fast-tracking of Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Reddy was handed his Test cap by Virat Kohli ahead of the contest and has been entrusted to play the role of the seam-bowling all-rounder in the side. His inclusion gave room for only one frontline spinner, a race for which Washington Sundar won.
Gavaskar noted that while Ashwin and Jadeja might not have been among the wickets in the seam-friendly conditions in Perth, they would have brought control.
"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 said during commentary (via Hindustan Times).
As far as Nitish Kumar Reddy is concerned, there is not a lot of first-class experience to his name. The 21-year-old also did not impress during the Duleep Trophy or the unofficial Test series against Australia A recently.
"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 added.
The emerging all-rounder's selection ahead of Shardul Thakur was defended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, who felt that it was among the lines of moving forward.
"Is he ready for Test cricket?" - Sunil Gavaskar on Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy will face a baptism of fire on Australian shores as unforgiving conditions and a potent bowling attack await him on his maiden Test assignment and tour.
Sunil Gavaskar made a case for the inclusion of both veteran spinners in the playing XI and expressed doubt over Nitish Kumar Reddy's ability to play at the highest level.
"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.
Team India are struggling to survive the first session after opting to bat first. They are placed at 47-4 after 23 overs on Day 1, with Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel out in the middle.