Former India batter S. Badrinath has questioned the BCCI’s selection strategy for the upcoming three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, namely the inclusion of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy over in-form batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Badrinath stated he didn't see the reasoning behind picking Nitish, especially because India already has established all-rounders in the roster. He felt Gaikwad, who has always produced when given the opportunity, was unfortunate to miss out yet again.
“Along with the two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy is in the squad. I’ve no idea why he’s there on the side. They say he’s an all-rounder, but with the ball, he is getting smashed everywhere. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been hard done by,” Badrinath stated in a video on his Instagram.
“Why is he not in the team, and why is Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team? There is definitely some inconsistency there. The other team selections were along expected lines and are very good. The only concern is the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy over Ruturaj Gaikwad,” he added.
Nitish Reddy has been included in the Indian squad, as Hardik Pandya has not been chosen for the New Zealand ODIs. But with India choosing four seamers in a pace-heavy combination, it remains to be seen how many chances Reddy will get in three ODIs. The all-rounder has featured in only two ODIs so far, scoring 27 runs and failing to pick up a wicket.
In a similar vein, former India opener S. Ramesh believed that Ruturaj Gaikwad should have been in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Ramesh believes Ruturaj should have replaced all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and questions the choice to incorporate a fifth seam-bowling option.
Gaikwad had scored a brilliant 83-ball 105 against South Africa at Raipur while batting at No. 4. He has since proceeded to score runs routinely in domestic cricket, bolstering his reputation as a dependable middle-order player.
"He could've been selected in the squad in place of someone like Nitish Kumar Reddy. Why is a fifth seam-bowling option required? Whether or not Reddy will bat or bowl is unclear. When it's not even clear whether he will feature in the eleven, someone like Gaikwad should've been there in the squad,” Ramesh said on his Instagram.
If Shreyas Iyer is unable to recover from his injury, Gaikwad might find a spot in the squad, according to Ramesh, but regardless of the circumstances, the young batter is a "must" in the team.
"India doesn't need a fifth seam-bowling option in the original squad for a home series. Even if there is an injury in the squad, someone can be called up soon, as it is a home series. What they may have thought is if Shreyas Iyer doesn't clear the fitness test, Ruturaj Gaikwad can slot into the playing eleven. Even if Iyer is fit and plays all three matches, I feel Gaikwad was a must in the squad," he added.
The three-match ODI series will begin on January 11 in Baroda, with the second ODI being played on January 14 in Rajkot and the final ODI being played on January 18 in Indore.
