"He’s getting smashed" - CSK star shames Nitish Kumar Reddy, demands Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ODI comeback

Former CSK star slammed the BCCI Men's Selection Committee for the controversial selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's ODI squad against New Zealand and has questioned the snub of CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad despite his unmatchable record in List A cricket.

India revealed the squad for the ODIs against New Zealand and have faced several questions over some controversial selections. The BCCI announced the roster, and the criticisms started just minutes after everyone witnessed another set of controversial snubs as well as selections.

The Ajit Agarkar-led committee has been troubled by the current depth of the BCCI contracted players, as selecting only 15 players leaves out one or two deserving players from the squad every time, and the committee has faced widespread backlash over and over again.

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Former CSK batter questions Nitish Kumar Reddy's selection in ODIs

Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath, who is known widely as a player for CSK in the IPL, has questioned the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the ODI squad against New Zealand. The selection committee picked him as Hardik Pandya's replacement as a seam-bowling all-rounder.

"Along with the two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy is there 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," said Badrinath while slamming the selections on his YouTube channel.

He reasoned that Reddy had played just 2 ODI matches before the selections, and had managed 27 runs coming down the order, and had no wickets in his tally. Badrinath also reasoned that the Andhra captain is getting hammered in domestic cricket whenever he comes in to bowl.

"No one has such a record," said Badrinath on CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's List A form

Nitish Kumar Reddy did not play in the series against South Africa and is not assured a spot in the New Zealand series as well, as Ravindra Jadeja will be the likely all-rounder in the XI.

Badrinath felt Ruturaj Gaikwad could have been included in the team and put the blame on the selection of Reddy for his snub.

"Why is he not there 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.

The former CSK batter also reflected on Ruturaj Gaikwad's amazing List A form and his stellar record, highlighting the recent international century and Vijay Hazare Trophy exploits.

"They sent him (Ruturaj Gaikwad) at No. 4 against South Africa because there wasn't a spot at the top, and he responded with a hundred. Following that, he's smashing runs for fun in List-A cricket at every opportunity. He has two centuries and a half-century in six innings with an overall List-A average of over 57 with 5,000 runs. No one has such a record," said Badrinath.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's recent stats in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Nitish Kumar Reddy made his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Andhra Pradesh and was named the captain of the side. He has played in all five rounds for Andhra Pradesh and has picked wickets across every game this season.

With an unbeaten half-century against Railways, Reddy has managed 139 runs in 5 matches at an average of 34.75 and a handy strike rate. In the wickets tally, he picked 6 scalps in 5 games, but his economy has been on the higher side.

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