In a rare and pointed critique, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has openly questioned the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in India’s playing XI during the recent West Indies series. The former Test star didn’t mince words, asking bluntly, “Why play him?”—a remark that has reignited debate over team balance, all-rounder expectations, and selection clarity in Indian cricket.
During a post-match analysis segment, Ashwin zeroed in on Nitish Kumar Reddy’s limited impact with the ball—bowling just one over in a crucial ODI against the West Indies. “If you’re picking someone as an all-rounder, they need to bowl more than one over,” Ashwin said. “Why play him if he’s not contributing with both bat and ball? You could’ve played a specialist batter or someone like Axar Patel, who’s proven in this role.”
Ashwin emphasized that in modern white-ball cricket, every player must have a clearly defined role. “Clarity is non-negotiable,” he added. “You can’t afford luxury picks when you’re building a world-beating side.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy, the 21-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, was handed his ODI debut in the West Indies series as part of India’s ongoing effort to blood young talent. While he showed promise with the bat—scoring a quickfire 28 off 22 balls in one match—his bowling contribution was minimal, raising eyebrows among analysts and former players alike.
In the match Ashwin referenced, Reddy was introduced as a sixth bowling option but bowled only six deliveries before being benched for the rest of the innings—a move that left many questioning his tactical value on that day.
India has long searched for a reliable No. 7 who can contribute meaningfully with both bat and ball. Players like Hardik Pandya filled that role effectively for years, but with his fitness and form fluctuating, selectors have been testing alternatives.
Ashwin argued that Axar Patel offers a more balanced profile: “Axar bowls 10 overs in a Test, 8 in an ODI, and can still score 40-50 runs down the order. That’s a real all-rounder.” He also pointed out that specialist batters like Rajat Patidar or Ruturaj Gaikwad could strengthen the top order without compromising bowling depth.
Reactions on social media were split. Some fans defended Reddy’s inclusion as part of a long-term plan, while others echoed Ashwin’s concerns about short-term team balance.
“You don’t groom talent by throwing them into high-stakes games without a clear role,” tweeted former selector Saba Karim.
Meanwhile, fantasy cricket players noted that Reddy’s low bowling output made him a risky pick—a sentiment that mirrors Ashwin’s on-air comments.
As India prepares for upcoming white-ball series—including the Australia tour—selectors face mounting pressure to define roles clearly. Ashwin’s critique isn’t just about one player; it’s a call for strategic discipline in team composition.
“Experimentation is fine,” Ashwin concluded, “but not at the cost of logic.”
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