Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has really thrown a curveball into the cricket world. He’s openly questioned the selection of fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming One-Day International series against New Zealand.
It’s caused quite a stir. Srikkanth, who once headed the national selection committee, just doesn’t seem to get it. He’s vocal about his doubts regarding Reddy’s all-rounder credentials for the Indian team. This kind of debate normal in Indian cricket, but Srikkanth’s comments were strong.
Srikkanth’s Scathing Assessment of Reddy’s Role
Srikkanth didn’t hold back at all. He went on his YouTube channel and straight up asked, “How is he looked at as an all-rounder?”. He thinks opposing teams will just “smash him everywhere” if he bowls.
And honestly, it’s a huge concern for a fast-bowling all-rounder. Srikkanth was clear. He doesn’t understand the logic behind Reddy’s inclusion. Especially not as a like-for-like replacement for someone like Hardik Pandya. Hardik is a complete package. He can bowl, bat, and field so well. He fits into the team easily.
Srikkanth didn’t just stop there. He posed some tough questions. He asked,
“Can Nitish Kumar Reddy fit into the team as a pure bowler? Will you ever give him three or four overs on the trot? Even if he has to bowl just five or six overs, how will he do it? There’s no scope.”
These are valid questions. He’s basically saying Reddy isn’t good enough with the ball right now. And he even went further. Srikkanth suggested that Axar Patel would’ve been a much better pick. Axar is also an all-rounder.
He’s been really good and consistent. He’s even the vice-captain in T20Is sometimes. So, Srikkanth wondered, “What mistake did Axar Patel make? Suddenly, you’ve left him out of the squad.” It seems like a unfair call to Srikkanth. You can read more about Srikkanth’s strong opinions on cricket selection over at The Indian Express‘s columnists section. He often has strong views on squad choices.
Aakash Chopra Offers a Different Perspective
But not everyone agrees completely with Srikkanth. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has a slightly different take. He’s also expressed concerns about Nitish. But his focus is more on Reddy’s lack of game time. Chopra asked, how can India prepare for the future if players like Nitish just keep warming the bench? It’s a fair point, right? Development is key.
Chopra wrote on X,
“If NKR is indispensable…why doesn’t he get a game? Even when India’s fielding three pacers??”
He added,
“Will he get a game now?? With four pacers? How can you get future-ready (Pandya’s absence) when he’s always warming the bench?”
Chopra also brought up other selections. He noted Ruturaj Gaikwad missing out because Shreyas Iyer is back. Tilak Varma out for Shubman Gill. He even questioned not playing Rishabh Pant at number four against South Africa when the chance was there. It seems like a lot of questions around overall squad strategy and player utilization. The team management might want to clarify their long-term vision. The front page of Indian Express often covers these high-profile debates.
Squad Context and What It Means for the Series
The India squad for the New Zealand series has some really big names, obviously. Shubman Gill is captain. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are there. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the wicket-keepers. Shreyas Iyer is vice-captain, which is interesting. And then you have the bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is indeed in that 15-player squad. The selectors have clearly got some sort of plan. But it’s just not sitting well with some former legends.
The debate around Reddy really highlights the pressure on young players. They need opportunities to prove themselves, sure. But also, they need to truly fit into the team’s balance. And the big question is, does Reddy really fit that bill right now? It’s something the team will have to figure out on the field during the New Zealand series.
The decisions made here could much set the tone for future selections. People are always looking for a good read, and more detailed analysis can often be found in the print network of Indian Express. Or you can even check Deepto Banerjee’s pieces for further insights on these selections.
India’s squad composition is always a hot topic. This series against New Zealand will be a real test, not just for the players but for the selection philosophy too. It will be interesting to see if Reddy gets a game, and how he performs if he does. The pressure is definitely on him, and on the selectors.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee 
Ishaan Singh