Former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has praised young Nitish Kumar Reddy as a “rare batting talent” following his impressive performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). However, he also hinted at the potential challenges surrounding Reddy’s place in the playing XI, emphasizing the need for India to sharpen its bowling attack.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the standout performers for India in the series against Australia, despite the series being tied at 1-1 after two Tests. In challenging conditions in Perth and Adelaide, where India’s seasoned batters struggled, Reddy made a mark with aggressive and confident stroke play.
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Reddy’s ability to adapt was evident in the series opener when he came in at number eight and scored a quick 41, including three fours off Nathan Lyon in just eight balls. He followed it up with two valuable knocks of 42 in each innings during the Adelaide Test, showcasing his knack for handling high-pressure situations.
Despite his modest first-class record—942 runs at an average of 23.55 in 25 matches—Reddy’s performances hint at potential far beyond what his statistics suggest. “Exceptional batting talent there, and you can see it. Maybe the kind of batting talent that gets better with higher-quality bowling,” Manjrekar said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
However, Manjrekar also pointed out concerns about India’s bowling unit, which appeared lackluster in the Adelaide Test. While Jasprit Bumrah remained a standout performer, the rest of the pace attack struggled to deliver consistently. This could prompt the team management to include an additional seamer in Brisbane, potentially at the expense of Reddy.
Manjrekar acknowledged the dilemma, stating that while Reddy has shown promise, relying on him solely as a batter at this stage might be premature. “India also has to think about the balance of the team. Nitish has shown some spark at the moment. It is a bit risky but too early,” he added.
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