Former India coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold request for Nitish Kumar Reddy's role, as he feels his time at number seven in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test will be his last time in that position in Test cricket.
Nitish Kumar Reddy's delightful maiden Test century in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has won the heart of Ravi Shastri, who believes the young Indian all-rounder should move up the batting order to the top 6 .
Ravi Shastri calls for Nitish Kumar Reddy to move into top six after historic century in Boxing Day Test at MCG
Ravi Shastri asserted that Nitish's batting in the top six will provide better balance to the Indian cricket team and allow the team to include an additional player in Test cricket.
While Reddy was solid with the bat, the former Indian captain pointed out that the young all-rounder did not make the same impact with the ball during his maiden Test series in Australia.
Reddy's resilience in the ongoing Boxing Day Test has been crucial for India. His 105* runs off 176 balls helped India to 358/9 by the end of day three, although they still trailed Australia by 116 runs.
With Mohammed Siraj at the other end, Reddy will look to continue his aggressive play in the first session of day four, aiming to add some quick runs and bring India closer to Australia's total.
Ravi Shastri is in awe of Nitish Reddy's batting heroics at the MCG
Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri suggested that Nitish Kumar Reddy's MCG heroics will be the last time he bats at No. 7. The commentator believes that Reddy's impressive ability with the bat should push him into the top six, as his skills will provide better balance to Team India. Line up.
By moving Reddy up, the Indian cricket team can field a fifth bowler, giving India the advantage of taking all 20 wickets. Reddy's shift to a top batting position is seen as a game-changer and Shastri feels that this change will not only strengthen India's batting but also enable the team to field a more comprehensive playing lineup for the New Year's Test.
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You go into the Sydney Test with Reddy batting in the top six, and you play with five players: Ravi Shastri;
“I feel the way he is batting, this is the last time he will bat at 7,” Ravi Shastri said on air at the MCG. “To get the side balanced, you need him to move up the order, either 5 or 6 and then you have a chance.” 5 bowlers bowled to get 20 wickets.
This kind of confidence was given to those in charge of selection, team management and the captain. Reddy is quite capable of batting in the top six. Then it completely changes the balance of the game. You go to Sydney with him batting in the top six, and you play five bowlers.
In particular, Nitish Kumar Reddy made history in the ongoing fourth Test, becoming the first visiting batsman to score a Test century at the MCG while batting at No. 8. He also became the sixth No. 8 batsman to achieve this feat against Australia.
