India defeated South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi by 17 runs.
Former India spinner R Ashwin has stated that there is something wrong with the Indian team's squad selection. His words came after India benched Nitish Kumar Reddy for the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. Ashwin stated that doing so when India doesn’t have the services of Hardik Pandya was inexplicable.
Many expected Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder like Pandya, to start the series opener on Sunday. Nonetheless, the kid was left to warm the bench.
"If we are not able to find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in a team that does not have Hardik Pandya, then there is something wrong in the squad selection, seriously. Why was he picked? Because the fact is that he can give what Hardik can give and can get better over a period of time. But if we can't find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in this particular XI, then the squad selection must be properly reviewed," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin went on to say that former captain Rohit Sharma and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid are responsible for India's aggressive batting approach, which has resulted in significant success. The former Indian off-spinner stated that the two not only advocated a more attacking style but also set an example, causing a shift in India's attitude in T20Is and ODIs.
"Rohit, as a captain, has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket—the way we bat fast—a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul Bhai. They showed the way. Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play, and Rohit showed the way, paved the way, and eventually it has changed the way India perceives batting. Batting is not average; it is purely strike rate in white-ball cricket," he added.
With veterans Rohit and Virat Kohli now only playing ODIs after retiring from the other two formats, Ashwin advised supporters to make the most of their remaining international cricket opportunities.
"I will say one thing: however much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let's do it because once they are done, we could hear talks like, 'Oh, what a player he was! Please bring him back.' That doesn't cut ice for me.
For however long they play, let us celebrate them as long as they are playing. As I said, life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. We must realize that the time is less. So we should enjoy whatever they are doing,” Ashwin concluded.
It remains to be seen whether Nitish Kumar Reddy makes it into the India XI in the second ODI against South Africa, which will be played on December 3 in Raipur.