Overview:
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was included in the Playing XI in the second Test, was given 10 overs. In the batting department, he didn't make any valuable contributions.
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth slammed Gautam Gambhir for the selection process in Test cricket, saying he is not ready to listen to justification from the management.
Srikkanth commented after India conceded a 288-run lead in the first innings of the second Test against South Africa. Critics are questioning the performances after India are on the cusp of losing another home series, having gone down 0-3 to New Zealand last year. After losing the series opener by 30 runs in Kolkata, the Proteas have put India on the back foot.
The visitors scored 489 and 260/5 declared in two innings while restricting India to 201.
Reacting to India’s ordinary form in Test cricket under Gambhir, Srikkanth hit out at selection policies, highlighting that players are not given consistent runs. “A player is making a debut in every alternate match. I don’t care about what Gautam Gambhir says. I have captained the team and was the chairman of the selectors. I know what I am saying. You need consistency,” Srikkanth said.
Gambhir once said that he wouldn’t drop players and the changes would be made to win matches. However, the statistic shows a different reality. India have used 24 players in the Test format in just a year under Gambhir’s coaching. On the other hand, 41 players were used during Virat Kohli’s seven-year stint as captain.
In the first Test against South Africa, India dropped Sai Sudharsan but recalled him for the second contest. Washington Sundar, who batted at No.3 in Kolkata, was sent back to No.8 in the ongoing game. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was included in the Playing XI in the second Test, was given 10 overs. In the batting department, he didn’t make any valuable contributions.
Srikkanth criticised Nitish’s selection, saying the all-rounder doesn’t deserve to play Test cricket at home.
He mentioned that India should have included Sarfaraz Khan in place of Nitish Kumar Reddy, particularly when Shubman Gill was ruled out of the second Test due to a neck injury.
“Who calls Nitish an all-rounder? He scored a hundred at the MCG, but he hasn’t done anything since. If he is an all-rounder, then I am a great all-rounder. He is not even a good batter. He is part of the ODI setup as well. What has he achieved?” he added.