India’s decision not to utilise all-rounder Nitish Reddy with the ball in the second Test against the West Indies left former cricketer Aakash Chopra bewildered. Reddy, who was selected as India’s registered fast-bowling all-rounder, did not get a single opportunity to bowl despite the team delivering more than 200 overs across both innings. His exclusion from the bowling attack raised eyebrows, particularly as India struggled to break the West Indies’ resilient batting line-up on Day 4 in Delhi.
The Windies batted for 118.5 overs in their second innings, scoring 390 runs and setting India a modest 121-run target, despite being enforced to follow on. Twin centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope frustrated the Indian bowlers, who found it difficult to make inroads on a flat, testing track.
Shubman Gill rotated his bowlers constantly, but Reddy, who impressed with both bat and ball during India’s tours of Australia and England, was never given a chance to contribute with the ball. Over the two-Test series, Nitish has only bowled four overs and faced 54 balls with the bat. He did not bat in the first Test and was left out of the bowling plans in the second, prompting Aakash Chopra to question the team’s logic.
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Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he said, “He is a batter who can bowl and is playing this match as an all-rounder. Him not bowling is baffling to me. That also puts a question mark on the selection. One Test match he gets slotted at No.8, then when he bats at No.5, he does not bowl. Ahead of the South Africa series, what do we do with that No.6 slot?”
Aakash Chopra also highlighted the tactical mismanagement on the field, emphasizing that in bowling-friendly conditions where wickets are not falling, it made little sense to sideline Reddy. “I have no idea if it was the captain’s call or the coach’s decision, but logically, it does not make sense that Nitish did not bowl a single ball in the 2nd Test,” he added.
West Indies showcased determination in their second innings, highlighted by a gritty 79-run partnership between Justin Greaves and No.11 Jayden Seales, which frustrated India and extended the game into the final day. India resumed their chase late on Day 4, scoring 63/1 in 18 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal falling early. Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul anchored the innings, leaving India just 58 runs away from victory on a pitch that remained tricky under lights.
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Chopra’s critique underscores a larger question for India’s management about how to balance all-rounder roles effectively while navigating team strategy in crucial matches. Nitish Reddy’s underutilization in Delhi could become a talking point ahead of India’s next overseas assignments.
