Sunil Gavaskar blocks Gautam Gambhir from dropping Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy

There are a lot of speculations about the changes in India’s playing XI for the must-win Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, starting on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.

As the teams gear up for the crucial fourth Test in Melbourne, the Indian cricket team faces a significant selection dilemma about their lineup, especially due to Ravichandran Ashwin’s unexpected retirement from international cricket after the drawn Gabba Test.

With the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 tied 1-1, changes in India’s XI are definitely on the cards, and it is even being said that the young pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy can be dropped from the team to bring back second spin all-rounder Washington Sundar.

Sunil Gavaskar backs Nitish Kumar Reddy to retain spot for Boxing Day Test

Media reports claimed that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both will play in the Boxing Day Test; thus, Nitish Kumar Reddy will have to make way for the Tamil Nadu star, but the legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels it will be a big blunder if the team management takes this call.

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The former Indian captain strongly believes that Nitish Kumar Reddy should be in India's playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia. Gavaskar believes that Reddy, as the fourth seamer, is crucial to the Indian cricket team's balance and cannot be dropped from the XI.

The legendary Indian batter has also emphasized that India cannot afford to go into the must-win Test match of the ongoing five-match Test series with only two pacers, predicting that the Gabba Test lineup should remain unchanged for the Melbourne encounter.

They can’t drop Nitish Kumar Reddy: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports ahead of the fourth Test the MCG: “They can’t drop Nitish Kumar Reddy. He is the fourth seamer. I can’t see India going in with just two pacers and Nitish. For me, it is pretty much this XI that plays in Melbourne.”

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar also rejected the idea of replacing Akash Deep with Harshit Rana for the crucial fourth Test against Australia at the MCG.

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However, Akash Deep's bowling in Brisbane was not remarkable, with figures of 3/123, but his 31 runs from 44 balls at No. 11 were crucial in helping India avoid the follow-on and pull off a draw against Australia in the third Test at The Gabba.

Unlikely that Harshit Rana will replace Akash Deep: Sunil Gavaskar

The legendary batter feels it's unlikely Harshit Rana will replace Akash Deep, especially after the pacer played a key role in the follow-on. He reckoned that dropping Akash wouldn't make sense. Gavaskar signed off by saying, “Unlikely that Harshit will replace Akash Deep. Why would you drop a man who has saved your team from follow-on?”

Additionally, the Indian team is also considering changes to the top order for the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Rohit Sharma might return to open, and KL Rahul could move to No. 3, with Shubman Gill facing axing, having been struggling with the bat Down Under.