Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly unite to demand Nitish Kumar Reddy's debut in Perth Test

Ahead of the first Test of the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth, Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly are calling for the inclusion of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's playing XI against Australia.

With the high-stakes first Test set to kick off at the Optus Stadium on November 22, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly urged the national selectors and the team management to take a bold call and hand the debut cap to Nitish Kumar Reddy in Perth.

Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly demand Nitish Kumar Reddy for Test debut in Perth

Actually, Mohammed Shami's absence prompted intense discussions about the team's pace bowling combination ahead of the five-match Test series opener in Perth. With Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge and Mohammed Siraj expected to partner him on Perth’s pace-friendly track, India will have to find an ideal supporting system for the senior fast bowlers.

However, the Indian team has a good option in Akash Deep, but both Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly believe that Nitish Kumar Reddy can turn out to be a game-changer and strike a balance in the line-up.

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Recalling Shardul Thakur’s impactful role in the WTC 2023 Final, Shastri said that Reddy can emulate the Mumbai all-rounder’s knack for making key contributions with both ball and bat. He insisted that Reddy’s ability to chip in with crucial overs and stabilize the innings makes him a strong contender to make his Test debut in the first Test against Australia.

Nitish Reddy will have to do a job like Shardul Thakur did as the fourth seamer: Ravi Shastri

The former Indian captain and all-rounder has particularly highlighted Reddy's potential to fill the very important role of a fourth seamer, bringing versatility and respite to the primary pacers in the demanding Australian conditions.

Ravi Shastri said on The ICC Review: “Nitish Reddy will have to do a job like Shardul Thakur did as the fourth seamer. He can bat a bit, giving the bowlers a little bit of respite so that they can bowl in short spells… and be someone who will have to be good for those eight to 10 overs that he bowls.”

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly agreed with Ravi Shastri on strategic changes to India's playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth. He has firmly backed the idea of fielding just one specialist spinner in India's playing XI for the Perth Test against Australia.

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India needs to find a way to play Nitish Kumar Reddy in Australia: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly has advocated for the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy, saying the young all-rounder will bring the much-needed balance to the side, so the team should prioritize a single specialist spinner for the fast-paced conditions at Perth, where pace and bounce are expected to dominate.

The legendary former Indian skipper also mentioned that Reddy’s skills as a lower-middle-order batter and medium pacer will lend proper balance to the side in their quest for an early advantage in the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia.

Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying to PTI, “Look, there is absolutely no point in playing two specialist spinners either at Perth or at The Gabba. You obviously need to find a way to play Reddy in these conditions. He is a good batter, and coming in at lower middle order, it will lend proper balance to the side.”