Nitish Kumar Reddy Released from India’s Test Squad

In a strategic reshuffle just days before the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, the BCCI has confirmed the release of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from India’s senior squad. The 21-year-old will now join the India A team for their upcoming fixtures—a decision driven not by form, but by tactical team balance and expected pitch behavior in Kolkata.

This move clears the way for a historic middle-order combination: Dhruv Jurel is now all but confirmed to make his Test debut alongside Rishabh Pant, forming a powerful batting duo that prioritizes depth over all-round cover. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized that the playing XI would be shaped by conditions—and Eden Gardens’ surface is telling a clear story.

Table of Contents

• Why Was Nitish Kumar Reddy Released?
• The Logic Behind India’s Team Balance Shift
• Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant: A New Middle-Order Axis
• How Eden Gardens’ Pitch Influenced the Call
• What This Means for Reddy’s Development
• Conclusion
• Sources

Why Was Nitish Kumar Reddy Released?

In an official statement, the BCCI clarified that Nitish Kumar Reddy was released “to join the India A squad” ahead of their upcoming matches . Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed the decision wasn’t due to injury or disciplinary issues, but a calculated move based on the team’s anticipated needs for the first Test.

“Given the nature of the pitch and our batting requirements, we felt it was best to go with a specialist batting option,” ten Doeschate explained . This signals that Reddy—despite his impressive domestic record—was seen as an all-rounder whose bowling (medium pace) wouldn’t be as impactful on a surface expected to favor spin later in the game.

The Logic Behind India’s Team Balance Shift

India’s original squad included five frontline bowlers and two all-rounders, offering flexibility. But with Eden Gardens’ pitch showing little grass and drying out fast, the team management has opted for a 3-seamers + 2-spinners + 6-batters combination.

Key factors in this shift:

• Spin dominance expected**: From Day 3 onward, the pitch is likely to assist turn.
• Batting depth needed**: Facing Rabada, Jansen, and Nortje, India wants seven recognized batters.
• Pant’s return as keeper**: With Rishabh Pant back behind the stumps, an extra wicketkeeper-batter like Jurel becomes a luxury, not a liability.

This balance sidelines all-rounders like Reddy and Washington Sundar in favor of pure batting strength—a bold but logical call.

Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant: A New Middle-Order Axis

With Reddy out, Dhruv Jurel’s place in the XI is now virtually guaranteed. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who scored a brilliant 140 in a recent first-class match, will likely bat at No. 6 or 7, with Pant at No. 5 .

This duo offers explosive counter-attacking potential and exceptional glovework. While Pant handles the primary wicketkeeping duties, Jurel provides insurance and allows India to play an extra batter without compromising fielding standards. As ten Doeschate noted, “You can’t leave Jurel out—he’s in outstanding form” .

How Eden Gardens’ Pitch Influenced the Call

The curator’s preparation has been decisive. According to multiple pitch reports, the Eden Gardens surface has been left uncovered for several days, with minimal watering . The black-soil track is dry, hard, and expected to crack early—classic conditions for spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to dominate in the final two days.

In such conditions, a fourth seamer or a part-time all-rounder adds little value. Instead, having batters who can survive the initial pace barrage and then accelerate against spin becomes critical. Jurel’s technique against turning deliveries—honed in domestic cricket—gives him an edge over Reddy’s seam-bowling utility.

For a full pitch analysis, check the ESPNcricinfo series hub.

What This Means for Reddy’s Development

Being released from the Test squad isn’t a setback for Nitish Kumar Reddy—it’s a redirection. His inclusion in the India A setup ensures he stays match-ready and continues to develop against high-quality opposition.

Reddy, who made headlines with his triple-century for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy, remains a key part of India’s long-term all-rounder pipeline—especially for overseas Tests where seam-friendly conditions prevail. This decision reflects a mature pathway strategy: play the right player for the right game, not just reward past performances.

For more on emerging Indian all-rounders, see our [INTERNAL_LINK:Next Gen of Indian All-Rounders to Watch].

Conclusion

The release of Nitish Kumar Reddy from India’s Test squad for the first match against South Africa is a masterclass in situational team selection. Driven by pitch intelligence, batting depth requirements, and the in-form status of Dhruv Jurel, this move underscores India’s increasingly data-informed and condition-specific approach to Test cricket. While Reddy’s time will come—especially in seamer-friendly conditions—this Test belongs to a new-look batting lineup built for Kolkata’s unique challenge.

Sources

• Times of India. “IND vs SA: India star released from squad for first Test, BCCI explains why.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
• Statements from assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate .
• Domestic cricket records and player stats from BCCI and ESPNcricinfo [[3], [6]].
• Eden Gardens pitch and venue reports from multiple outlets [[7], [8]].