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Does The Rise Of Nitish Kumar Reddy Put Hardik Pandya's International Career In Danger?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Nitish Reddy and Hardik Pandya [Source: @hardikpandya7, @_FaridKhan/x.com]Nitish Reddy and Hardik Pandya [Source: @hardikpandya7, @_FaridKhan/x.com]

It has been ages since an pace bowling all-rounder has done well for the Indian team. One man who did it on a consistent basis for a long period of time was Kapil Dev. Since the retirement of the legend, pace-bowling all-rounder has been a species, India have missed in their cricket. 

If you go through the Indian cricketing history the name that comes to mind after Kapil Dev as a pace bowling all-rounder is that of Ajit Agarkar. However, besides a few brilliant knocks, Agarkar's consistency with the bat is something that does not make him a prominent member of this list. 

The next name that immediately comes to mind after Agarkar is that of Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been a match winner for the team and has played a major role in some of the most memorable games for India. However, in the recent times there have been a few limitations that has been noticed as far his performance is considered. 

Why Hardik Pandya's Position Might Be In Danger?

Injury proneness - In the last few years, we have seen that Hardik Pandya has been prey to a few injuries. This has hurt the longevity of the all-rounder at the highest level of the game. It has been his proneness to injury that has shifted the focus from him as India's prime pace-bowling all-rounder.

Losing relevance as an all format player - With injuries plaguing his career, Hardik Pandya has gradually lost his relevance as an all format player. Even though he his still an important part of India's white ball scheme of things, his chances of making a comeback in Test cricket seems too dim. 

How Nitish Reddy's Rise Can Be A Threat To Hardik Pandya?

Passing the test of temperament - Nitish Reddy impressed everyone with his exploits during the IPL 2024. The way he batted under pressure during the tournament gave a testament of his temperament and attitude. He carried the momentum to domestic circuit and continued brilliantly there. 

Nitish Reddy has translated the domestic performance into international arena as well. He has shown great attitude as a Test batter in his first two matches. Besides, he also bowled some effective overs with the ball and has also show his knack for picking up crucial wickets.

Proving himself as an all format player - Reddy had already proven himself as a T20 player in the IPL. Now in the Tests against Australia, he has shown that he has suited for the purest format too. Thus the overall impact of Reddy to Indian cricket could be much more than Hardik Pandya. 

However, Reddy is still young and is yet to realise his full potential at the highest level. It will take time for Indian cricket to transition from Pandya to Reddy, but there is a chance that he might successfully replace the former.