'India don't need Nitish Kumar Reddy': Ravichandran Ashwin

Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that the India National Cricket Team don't need the services of the pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the upcoming Test series against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

Ravichandran Ashwin said that the wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel should be included in the playing XI in the upcoming Test series, as India should look to utilise his red-hot form.

You don't need Nitish Kumar Reddy because you have two pacers and three spinners - Ravichandran Ashwin

The young pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is quite injury-prone, was part of India's playing XI in both the Test matches of the most recent home series against the West Indies National Cricket Team.

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However, he didn't make any major contribution in the 2-0 triumph despite featuring in the team. In the Test series opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled four overs in the first innings of the West Indies and didn't bowl in the second innings. He also didn't get the opportunity to bat in India's only innings.

As the action moved towards the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the all-rounder slammed 43 runs, and after that, he just did the fielding. India bowled 81.5 overs in the first innings and 118.5 overs in the second, but Nitish Kumar Reddy wasn't given a chance to bowl.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has now called for the axing of Nitish Kumar Reddy from the playing XI as he feels that the services of the all-rounder won't he required.

"There can be no debate around Sai Sudharsan. Dhruv Jurel should walk into the side, lower down the order. You don't need Nitish Kumar Reddy because you have two pacers and three spinners. Dhruv Jurel has to play. Someone who is in good form, please utilise that. He is in good form and has been performing well,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

When England came here for a series in 2024, Jurel played a brilliant knock in Ranchi - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin further said that Dhruv Jurel is in the form of his life and the team management must he bold enough to keep two wicketkeeper-batsmen in the playing XI against South Africa.

"When England came here for a series in 2024, Jurel played a brilliant knock in Ranchi. He is in the form of his life; he smashed twin hundreds against South Africa A. The first one came when the team was in trouble, so I think the management has a decision to make,” he added.

Notably, Jurel has been the understudy for Rishabh Pant in Test cricket, and in the home Test series against West Indies, he did an exceptional job in the absence of Pant. His last eight first-class innings scored read - 140, 1, 56, 125, 44, 6*, 132*, 127*.

Also Read: India vs South Africa 1st Test under threat as Eden Gardens placed under three-tier security after Delhi blast

If these three spinners play, then there is no chance of Axar playing - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin also feels that the possibility of Axar Patel featuring in the Test playing XI is very low because Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar have been locked in.

“It all depends on the conditions. Both Tests will be played in the East. The ball will turn there, so you have to decide how many spinners you want to go in with. Ravindra Jadeja is locked as the left-arm spinner; Kuldeep must play. Washington Sundar will also play. If these three spinners play, then there is no chance of Axar playing; he can only come in if Jadeja is not in the team,” said Ashwin

"You shouldn't make the mistake of inserting Axar because he is in good touch. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will play as the seamers at the Eden Gardens, so five bowlers are done,” he added.