Team India began their five-Test series against England at Headingley today, but a notable omission from the playing XI was Nitish Kumar Reddy, the promising batting all-rounder who had impressed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
So, why is Nitish Reddy not playing today’s 1st Test?
Selection Decision: Reddy Benched for Shardul Thakur
Nitish Reddy has been left out of the XI in favor of Shardul Thakur, who brings more experience and bowling depth to the lineup. With debutant Sai Sudharsan slotting in at No. 3, the team opted for Thakur’s tested all-round ability to maintain balance.
Shubman Gill, at the toss, clarified:
“Sai makes his debut, Karun comes in. Sai will bat at three.”
Gill added that the conditions would favor batting as the game progresses, hinting that India’s strategy revolves around bowling depth early on and capitalizing later with the bat.
Reddy vs Thakur: The Comparison
- Nitish Reddy had a strong domestic season and made a mark in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with vital runs under pressure.
- On the recent India A tour in England, Reddy scored a half-century and took two wickets.
- Shardul Thakur, however, has previous experience in English conditions, including match-winning spells and fifties in the 2021 Oval Test.
- Both took two wickets in India A matches, but Thakur’s proven Test record may have tipped the scale.
First Tour Factor
This is Reddy’s first Test tour of England, while Thakur has already played four Tests in the UK, including major contributions during India’s last visit.
With multiple debutants already in the XI, the team management likely chose experience over promise for the opener.
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