• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Dont Want Players To Gill Defends Team Strategy After Reddy Goes Unused With The Ball

"Don't want players to...": Gill defends team strategy after Reddy goes unused with the ball

Rajgeeta Yadav

Nitish Kumar Reddy with captain Shubman Gill [Source: AFP]Nitish Kumar Reddy with captain Shubman Gill [Source: AFP]

India young captain Shubman Gill finally spoke about why Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t get a chance to bowl in the second Test against West Indies in Delhi. Fans and commentators were curious, as India bowled a total of 201 overs across both innings, but Reddy never got a turn, while even Yashasvi Jaiswal bowled a single over.

Shubman Gill clears air on Nitish Reddy’s role

Gill explained that the team is focused on giving players consistent opportunities, not just picking them for overseas matches.

 “He didn't really get to bowl in this match. We don't want players to only play matches overseas. That puts a lot of pressure on the players. We want to groom certain players that we think can help us win matches overseas because that's been a challenge for us,” Gill said after India’s seven-wicket win against WI.

Despite being in the squad, Reddy wasn’t used as a bowler at all. In the first Test in Ahmedabad, he had very limited bowling duties as well. The focus, according to Gill, is on building a balanced team where players can contribute in different conditions and formats.

Gill also talked about India’s decision to enforce the follow-on in the Delhi Test.

“We were around 300 runs ahead. We thought even if we scored like 500 runs and we have to get 6 or 7 wickets on day 5, it could be a tough day for us. So, that was the thought process,” Gill said.

As for Reddy’s batting, he didn’t get a chance in the first Test as India declared at 448/5, winning by an innings and 140 runs. In Delhi Test, he was promoted to number 5 in the batting order. Reddy impressed with a quick, attacking 43 off 54 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before falling to spinner Jomel Warrican.

Meanwhile, Reddy will now be seen in action in the upcoming white-ball series against Australia, as he has been included in India’s ODI squad.