The India National Cricket Team might have won the three-match ODI series opener by 17 runs against South Africa on Sunday, November 30, but the former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was not pleased with the team combination in Ranchi.
Ashwin has raised eyebrows over Nitish Kumar Reddy being left out of India’s playing XI in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. With Hardik Pandya unavailable due to injury, many expected the young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to fill the gap against South Africa.
Ravichandran Ashwin baffled by India’s Playing XI for Ranchi ODI against South Africa
Surprisingly, the Men in Blue led by KL Rahul went with three pace and three spin options for the first ODI against the Proteas side in Ranchi. Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna led the pace attack, while Harshit Rana slotted in at No. 8 for the ODI series opener on Sunday.
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The left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja led the spin attack featuring the wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and off-spinner Washington Sundar as well. The six-bowler strategy left no space for Reddy in the playing XI, leaving Ashwin baffled at the team management.
The former Indian all-rounder has questioned India’s squad selection after Nitish Kumar Reddy was left out of the first ODI against South Africa, despite Hardik Pandya being unavailable.
There is something wrong in the squad selection: Ravichandran Ashwin questions Nitish Kumar Reddy’s place
Ashwin pointed out that Nitish was picked for his ability to provide the balance Hardik usually brings, and his omission from the playing XI raises questions about the team’s selection choices.
Ravichandran Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel, “If we are not able to find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in a team that does not have Hardik Pandya, then there is something wrong in the squad selection, seriously. Why was he picked? Because of the fact that he can give what Hardik can give and can get better over a period of time. But, if we can’t find a place for Nitish Kumar Reddy in this particular XI, then the squad selection must be properly reviewed.”
Notably, Reddy had made his ODI debut earlier on the Australia tour but missed the second match due to injury and was eventually ruled out of the T20I series as well.
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Even after being released from the Test squad to play white-ball games against South Africa ‘A’, the young all-rounder was ignored for the first ODI. However, he was part of India’s XI during their Guwahati Test humbling.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 4 despite Ranchi move backfired
Meanwhile, India had made another baffling call to bat Ruturaj Gaikwad at the No. 4 spot despite Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma being available options for the middle order. Gaikwad was mainly considered as a backup opener with Shubman Gill out.
But Gaikwad was sent to bat at No.4 in his comeback match after more than one year, and he could score just eight runs off 14 balls before being caught by Dewald Brevis. Despite this, Ashwin said Gaikwad should get more chances in the middle order.
Ashwin signed off by saying, “You gave an opportunity to Ruturaj, so it doesn’t make sense to go to Tilak Varma right now. So, give him a longer run and then decide what your right combination is.”
