India Drops Nitish Reddy For Kolkata Test Against South Africa

India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has almost confirmed the team lineup for the first Test match against South Africa, starting Friday in Kolkata. The key change in the squad will be the absence of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been released from the Test team to join India A for a one-day series against South Africa A.

The decision to release Nitish comes as part of a strategic move by the Indian management, who want to adjust the team based on the playing conditions in Kolkata. Ten Doeschate explained that while Nitish remains an important player for the future, the management prefers to include an extra batter for this match. This change means wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is expected to play in the starting eleven against the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa.

Hours after the coach’s press conference at Eden Gardens, the BCCI officially confirmed that Nitish had been released from the squad. He will now join the India A team for their three-match one-day series in Rajkot, to be held between November 13 and 19. However, Nitish is expected to rejoin the senior Test squad for the second match, which will begin on November 22 in Guwahati.

The BCCI statement noted that this move was planned to give Nitish more match time after a few months affected by injury. Instead of sitting on the bench, he will gain valuable experience by playing competitive matches for India A.

Nitish’s role in India’s home Tests had been a topic of discussion since his performances against the West Indies last month. In that series, he bowled just four overs in the first Test in Ahmedabad and did not get a chance to bat. In the second Test in Delhi, he batted at number five and scored 43 runs but was not asked to bowl. This uneven usage created debate over whether India needed a specialist bowler instead of a developing all-rounder.

Many former players, including Gautam Gambhir, defended Nitish’s selection, calling it a learning experience for the young cricketer. Gambhir had said that being part of a squad with senior fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj would help Nitish grow. He also added that it would be unfair to only pick him for challenging overseas tours.

However, coach Ten Doeschate made it clear that strategy takes priority over experimentation in important matches. “In the West Indies series, Nitish played both Tests, and we said it was important to groom him for the future. But strategy comes first,” he explained. “Our position hasn’t changed on Nitish, but given the importance of this series and the conditions we expect in Kolkata, he might miss out on this Test.”

Reports later confirmed that Nitish had already left the Indian camp and traveled to Rajkot to join the India A squad. This decision suggests that India has finalized its plans for the first Test, aiming for a balanced lineup that suits the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens.

The first Test against South Africa is a key part of India’s home season. The team will look to start strong in front of their home fans after a successful series against the West Indies. South Africa, the current World Test Champions, will provide a tough challenge, making the strategic selection decisions even more crucial.

With Nitish temporarily out, all eyes will now be on Dhruv Jurel and how he performs under pressure. The Indian team will rely on its experienced players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, to guide the team to victory in the opening Test.

As for Nitish Kumar Reddy, this move could prove beneficial in the long term. Playing in the India A series will help him stay in form and gain confidence before rejoining the main squad for the second Test. The Indian team management has made it clear that he continues to be part of their long-term Test plans.