’Nitish Kumar Reddy is Hardik Pandya’s replacement in Tests,’ Ex-star showers huge praise for India’s BGT 2024-25 find

Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel has described Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential replacement for Hardik Pandya in Test cricket, following the youngster's consistent performances with both bat and ball in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia. Making his debut in the series, the Andhra Pradesh all-rounder has emerged as a key player for the visiting team, contributing scores of 41, 38 not out, 42, 42, and 16 before the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Coming in after the fall of Rishabh Pant with India at 191/6, Reddy displayed remarkable application, temperament, and grit to hold his ground in the middle. With Ravindra Jadeja departing soon after, Reddy and Washington Sundar's resilient partnership helped India avoid the follow-on and frustrate the Australians.

Patel, who played for India during their 2003-04 tour of Australia, opined that Nitish Kumar Reddy showed how Test cricket is played. The scores of 40, that he was making, in that also he was showing enough maturity and today he has the scores to back him," Patel told Cricbuzz.

“He is understanding the situations very well. The way he handled the second new ball today and by and large, he showed how Test cricket is played. He has definitely impressed with his batting. And when you have a medium pacer all-rounder who can bat as well, he balances the team very well,” added the former wicketkeeper-batter.

Before Reddy, Hardik Pandya was the medium pace-bowling all-rounder in Tests. However, injuries cut short Pandya's Test career as the Baroda cricketer focussed on limited-overs cricket for the national team.

With Reddy, Patel felt India have got Pandya's replacement. “He has been a complete package for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy is Hardik Pandya's replacement in Tests,” added the 39-year-old.

Nitish Kumar Reddy scores maiden Test ton 

Expectedly, Reddy went on to score his maiden international hundred before bad light stopped play. After India lost Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah for 50 and zero respectively, Mohammed Siraj blocked the Australians with solid defence.

Reddy survived some tense moments before lofting Scott Boland over mid-wicket fielder to hold his hands aloft in the air. Immediately, he crossed over, kneeled down, stood his bat and made his helmet hand on it in celebration as the entire MCG gave the 21-year-old a standing ovation.