Nitish Kumar Reddy faces scrutiny over all-rounder potential

Former India fielding coach R Sridhar has stated that Nitish Kumar Reddy is currently ‘punching below his ability’ regarding his batting performance. Reddy is being groomed by team management as a potential successor to fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya, with a long-term view toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Reddy has appeared in 27 international matches across all formats, recording 658 runs and 21 wickets. Despite his potential, recent performances, including a T20I series against the West Indies, have shown inconsistent batting returns. Sridhar expressed hope that Reddy will improve his batting output over the next year to solidify his position.

Former bowling coach Bharat Arun also commented on Reddy’s prospects, noting that while the player possesses necessary pace to fill the all-rounder role, his ability to execute under pressure will be vital. These discussions come as India prepares for a tour of New Zealand, where Reddy may find opportunities to strengthen his credentials due to fitness concerns surrounding Pandya.