Nitish Kumar Reddy Released From Squad Ahead of First Test Against South Africa, Here’s Why

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been released from the squad ahead of the first Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Nitish will now join the India A squad in Rajkot which will play a ODI series against South Africa A.

The move came after assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate hinted that, given the conditions in Kolkata, the player might have to sit out. An official BCCI Statement read, All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been released from India’s squad for the first Test against South Africa. Nitish will join the India A squad for the One-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot. The three One-days between India A and South Africa A will take place from 13th to 19th November at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

Reddy will return to the squad for the second Test post the conclusion of the ‘A’ series.

Rishabh Pant will also return to Test cricket for the first time since he fractured his right foot and spent a prolonged time on the sidelines after the Manchester Test in England. He featured in two four-day matches against South Africa A and was also named in the Test squad. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate insisted he won’t be surprised if both Dhruv Jurel and Pant feature in the Eden Gardens Test match.

Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy.