Gargi Raut at Lord’s
“What has Nitish Kumar Reddy done to make it to the Indian playing XI?” “He is not ready for the Indian cricket team.” “What is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role in the team when he is only bowling six overs and not contributing any runs to the scoreboard?”
These are some of the questions that were brought up over and over again by Indian cricket fans leading up to the third Test between India and England at Lord’s.
Reddy made it to the side in the second Test at Edgbaston, right after India had faced a humiliating defeat in the first Test of the series. One bad game led to multiple changes in the playing XI. With Reddy and Washington Sundar’s inclusion in the team, it was evident that the Indian management was looking for a cushion in the batting line-up while also having bowling options to fall back on.
In the first innings at Edgbaston, Reddy fell prey to poor judgement as he left a delivery that was too close to off stump and it nipped back to disturb the timber. In the second innings, too, the all-rounder walked back to the pavilion after playing only two deliveries. The two innings ultimately led to Indian fans questioning Reddy’s place in the team, but he responded.
In the first innings of the third Test match at Lord’s, Reddy proved why he had been picked, picking up two important wickets in his very first over. He was brought on by skipper Shubman Gill right after the drinks break in the 14th over. While the English openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, gave some chances they had provided the hosts with a steady start. But Reddy provided an immediate impact.
He struck gold in his third delivery. What appeared to be a harmless delivery down the leg side turned into a breakthrough. A mistimed pull shot from Duckett, who was a bit too early into the stroke, resulted in a faint glove through to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. Pant, ever alert, took a sharp catch. Duckett departed for 23, and England were 43 for 1.
But Reddy wasn’t done with just one wicket. Three deliveries later, he produced a gem to dismiss Crawley. Bowling from over the wicket, he delivered one that pitched just short of a length, angled in initially, then deviated slightly off the surface. Crawley, trying to defend with a straight bat, found the edge and once again, Pant was up to the task behind the stumps. Crawley was gone for 18, and England suddenly found themselves wobbling at 44 for 2.
With two scalps in the space of four balls, Reddy delivered an impactful over, quieting the critics and giving India the upper hand early in the contest.