‘Don’t know why Nitish Reddy was picked over Ruturaj Gaikwad’ – Former batter slams India’s team selection for New Zealand ODIs

Subramaniam Badrinath, a former Indian cricketer, did not mince words when asked about the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in India ODI team for the white-ball series against New Zealand.

Badrinath believes that the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad could have easily replaced Reddy, noting that the Men in Blue already had two all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

“Along with the two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy is there in the squad. I have no idea why he’s there in the side. They say he’s an all-rounder but with the ball, he is getting smashed everywhere. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been hard done by. Why is he not there in the team and why is Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team? The only concern is the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy over Ruturaj Gaikwad,” shared Badrinath in a video on his YouTube channel.

The erstwhile middle-order underscored Gaikwad’s recent form in List A cricket and his overall record in the format to emphasise his disappointment over his exclusion.