Nitish Reddy was one of the few positives on an otherwise disappointing tour of Australia for Team India. Although India suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat in the five-match Test series, the young all-rounder managed to make a big impact.

After being named in the Test squad, not many expected him to find a place in the playing XI. However, the team management gave him a chance from the first Test and Nitish Reddy did not disappoint. He played in all five Tests and made several useful contributions.

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He managed to contribute with both bat and ball during the series. With the bat, the Andhra all-rounder scored 298 runs at an average of 37.25, including a brilliant century in the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the ball, the youngster got five wickets at an average of 38.00.

Sanjay Bangar Prediction for Nitish Reddy:

With the all-rounder impressing on the challenging tour, many believe he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. Many have also opted to become a regular for the Indian team in all three formats. However, former India batting coach and all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has a different opinion.

Speaking on Star Sports, the former cricketer said that Nitish Reddy would struggle to find a place in the ODI and T20I team. Not only that, Bangar also said that Reddy is unlikely to be picked in the squad for the local Tests and called him an “extremely critical member for overseas Test matches”.

Bangar made the comment when asked if Nitish Reddy would be picked in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against England.

“It’s still early for me. Here’s a chance. If you think back to the last 10 or 12 years, who was the guy who did that job really well? Irfan Pathan is the one who comes to mind. He played with the new ball. or with a change, and also gave you runs when necessary,” said Sanjay Bangar.

“Irfan came out of the under-19 system. Nitish is not someone who has come out of the under-19 system. He is past that stage. For me, he is an extremely critical member for overseas Test matches. I don’t think he will find a place neither in the 50-over format nor in T20, not even in home Test matches,” Bangar added.

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Further, Bangar said that the bowling all-rounder is a player who can give the team an ideal balance for overseas Test matches. He said Nitish Reddy’s real value is in the Test squad for overseas matches. He also advised Reddy to hone his bowling skills at the National Cricket Academy.

“However, here is a player who can provide you with the ideal balance for your Test matches abroad and that is where the real value is,” he said.

“That’s where he doesn’t necessarily travel with the Indian team, but whenever he’s away on national duty and state duty, the National Cricket Academy has a huge role to play in terms of making him live up to that workload to bowl 10 or 15 overs with really penetration, and that is a very, very attractive opportunity,” he added.