Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed that one of the team’s objectives is to develop a seam-bowling all-rounder, for which they will give Nitish Kumar Reddy an extended run.
Having made his debut in Australia, Nitish has played eight Tests so far in his short career, the most recent being against the West Indies in Ahmedabad. The 22-year-old did not get a chance to bat in the first Test and bowled only four overs as first-change, all in a single spell.
“One of the objectives, one of the sort of medium-term objectives, is to develop a seam-bowling all-rounder for India,” ten Doeschate told reporters. “It’s very important, when we go on overseas tours, that we have that position covered. We didn’t get a very good look at Nitish last week, so I think it’s actually a very good opportunity to give him another go and not alter the balance of the team.”
Fitness could be the key factor in determining how far Nitish can progress as a Test player.
“We think he’s a fantastic seam-bowling all-rounder — a batter who bowls seam,” he said. “I think the biggest limitation to what his ceiling could be is going to be his body. He’s not the first all-rounder we’ve seen in this country. That applies, let’s be perfectly honest, to Hardik as well — the same sort of player. We don’t doubt their skills at all, but whether their bodies can hold up to the demands of Test cricket is a different matter.”
In the upcoming Test against Delhi, India are unlikely to change the winning combination, with Nitish expected to retain his place.
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