Nitish Kumar Reddy leads to a massive conflict between Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar didn't go easy on India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir for the team's playing XI selection for the first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He wasn't amazed at Nitish Kumar Reddy playing ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in Perth.

In what was the biggest news from Perth, the India National Cricket Team didn't pick Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in their playing XI for the first Test against the Australia National Cricket Team. Head coach Gautam Gambhir instead opted to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy along with Washington Sundar.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir went for horses for courses and picked players based on form

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been the legends for the India National Cricket Team in Test cricket. It was expected that one among them would be featured in the game, but head coach Gautam Gambhir went for horses for courses and picked players based on form.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is making his debut, was preferred as the fast-bowling all-rounder. The Hyderabad player doesn't have a great FC record and also failed to get going in the tour games against Australia A. He has played just 23 first-class matches.

Washington Sundar, on the other hand, played a great role for India in the last Test series against New Zealand. The all-rounder was drafted into the team midway through that series and ended as the leading wicket-taker, along with his vital contributions with the bat down the order.

I'm really surprised that Ashwin and Jadeja not playing; they have got 900 wickets between them in Test matches - Sunil Gavaskar lashes out at Gautam Gambhir

With Gautam Gambhir not picking Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Sunil Gavaskar was critical of the decision. He highlighted the 900 wickets between the duo, claiming that they are not bowlers who can just play in Indian or sub-continent conditions.

Sunil Gavaskar hailed Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as clever bowlers, saying that even if they fail to take wickets, they will put batters under pressure. Speaking on air during the ongoing Day 1 of the first Test, he said:

"I'm really surprised with Ashwin and Jadeja not playing; they have got 900 wickets between them in Test matches. They are not bowlers who can just play in Indian or sub-continent conditions and are very clever bowlers, they are very experienced bowlers. Even if they might not get you wickets, they will be able to slow the scoring down because of the cleverness of how they bowl."

But is he ready for Test cricket? - Sunil Gavaskar on Nitish Kumar Reddy

Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that with big boundaries in Perth, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin would've been handy. He also questioned the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy but said that he hoped that his selection would pay off. He added:

"I would have thought that on these Australian wickets, there are big boundaries, so I thought you would have gone with both of them. But this is a new management, new thinking. They have gone with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising cricketer, make no mistake about that. But is he ready for Test cricket?"

"He has not played many first-class games and so clearly, I think, this selection of Nitish is more in hope, nothing less. Like all Indian cricket followers, I hope it comes off."

Not only Sunil Gavaskar but also India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir faced a lot of criticism from the fans and various other experts. It remains to be seen how the Indian team will fare in the ongoing game.