Cricketer-turned-expert Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the logic behind selecting all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's playing XI for the recently concluded Test series against West Indies, which the hosts comfortably won 2-0. However, while there were significant contributions from skipper Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj, Reddy's contribution through these two wins was minimal.
He bowled just four overs in the first Test and did not bowl even an over in the second, despite West Indies managing to put up some resistance by posting 390 in their second innings. However, skipper Gill did not ask Reddy to bowl as he chose to operate with spinners. Speaking on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat,' Ashwin expressed his concerns, stating that India could have either opted to play a specialist batter or an experienced all-rounder like Axar Patel instead.
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"If this is Nitish Reddy's role, I feel you can play a specialist batter or a bowler. You could play Axar. What less has he done? He has been a match-winner," Ashwin said.
Ravi Ashwin lavishes huge praise on Axar Patel's match-winning abilities
The expert also hailed the off-spinning all-rounder's strengths, especially against spin.
“Axar Patel has the best defense against spin. So, if you are not using him, especially when you have Siraj, Bumrah, and a second seamer, then Nitish can play for batting depth. Otherwise, I don't see the point. Nitish is a fine batter, but there could be a bit more clarity on his role," he noted.
The expert is not entirely wrong in his statement. In the 14 Tests that Axar has played for India, the southpaw has scored 646 runs at an average of 35.88, including four fifties, and has accounted for 55 wickets at an average of 19.34. Meanwhile, Nitish has featured in nine Tests, scoring 386 runs at 29.69 with one century and has taken eight wickets at 39.62.
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