Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has criticized the Indian team think tank for their team selection for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth. He also failed to understand the reasoning behind the exclusion of both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin and the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy as well.

“Really surprised with Ashwin and Jadeja not playing, they have got 900 wickets between them in Test matches. They are not bowlers who can just play in Indian or sub-continent conditions. They are very clever bowlers, they are very experienced bowlers. Even if they might not get you wickets, they will be able to slow the scoring down because of the cleverness of how they bowl,” Gavaskar said during commentary (via Hindustan Times).

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“He has not played many first-class games and so clearly, I think, this selection of Nitish is more in hope, nothing less. Like all Indian cricket followers, I hope it comes off,” Gavaskar further added.

Nitish Kumar Reddy will face a lot of fire on Australian shores as tough conditions and a potent bowling attack await him on his maiden Test assignment and tour as well.

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“I would have thought that on these Australian wickets, there are big boundaries, so I thought you would have gone with both of them. But this is a new management, new thinking. They have gone with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising cricketer, make no mistake about that. But is he ready for Test cricket?,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.