New Delhi: Brought back into India’s playing XI following Washington Sundar’s injury, allrounder Nitish Reddy struggled to make an impact during the seven-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday. Reddy scored 20 runs off 21 balls and bowled two wicketless overs, failing to influence the outcome of the match.
Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate admitted that despite multiple opportunities, Reddy has yet to fully justify the team’s backing. “For someone making their way, particularly with the bat tonight, it was a perfect chance to spend 15 overs at the crease. You really have to take these chances to push your case for selection,” he said.
Doeschate also reflected on India’s team combination, suggesting that playing an extra pacer instead of a spinner was a misjudgment given the Rajkot conditions. Batting first, India posted 284 for 7, anchored by KL Rahul’s century and Shubman Gill’s fifty, but New Zealand chased the target comfortably to level the three-match series 1-1.
“Bringing Nitish in after Washington Sundar’s injury, we thought he would suit the track better. In hindsight, considering how the New Zealand spinners bowled, another spinner may have been a better option,” Doeschate added.
The 22-year-old allrounder has so far scored one century across formats since making his international debut against Bangladesh in October 2024. In his career to date, Reddy has played 10 Tests, three ODIs, and four T20Is, accumulating a total of 533 runs. Ten Doeschate stressed that the focus remains on developing Reddy through game time, but noted that opportunities have often gone uncapitalised.
The Indian coaching staff will now reassess team combinations and player roles ahead of the series decider, while Reddy faces pressure to convert chances into match-winning performances.
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