Ravi Ashwin calls for inclusion of Axar Patel instead of Nitish Kumar Reddy in Indian test team

Ravi Ashwin was critical of Nitish Reddy’s inclusion in India’s playing XI against the West Indies.

Former India spinner Ravi Ashwin has questioned the decision to include Nitish Kumar Reddy in India’s playing XI in the recently finished second test against the West Indies. Although India easily won the series, defeating the West Indies 2-0, Reddy’s involvement in the matches was limited.

He bowled only four overs in the first test and did not bowl a single over in the second, despite the West Indies scoring 390 in their second innings. Captain Shubman Gill decided not to hand him the ball at any point.

Ashwin expressed his concerns and stated that the team should’ve instead opted for a specialist batter or a proven all-rounder like Axar Patel.

“If this is Nitish Reddy’s role, I feel you can play a specialist batter or a bowler. You could play Axar Patel. What less has he done? He has been a match-winner,” R Ashwin stated on his YouTube Channel.

Axar has done much better than Nitish in this role: Ravichandran Ashwin

Axar Patel has played 14 tests, scored 646 runs, and taken 55 wickets. His highest score is 84, and he has scored four fifties, while his best bowling figures are 6/38, and he has also taken a ten-wicket match haul in tests. Ashwin also stated that Axar Patel has done much better than Nitish in this all-rounder role and is a much better batter.

“When does Nitish Reddy come into play? I am not saying you need an extra bowler; if not, then play a specialist batter only. Axar has done much better than Nitish in this role. Axar Patel has the best defence against spin. So, if you’re not using him, especially when you have Siraj, Bumrah, and a second seamer, then Nitish can play for batting depth. Otherwise, I don’t see the point. Nitish is a fine batter, but there could be a bit more clarity on his role,” Ashwin said.

Nitish, on the other hand, has featured in nine tests, scoring 386 runs at 29.69 with one century, and has claimed eight wickets at 39.62.

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