Sunil Gavaskar has singled out Nitish Kumar Reddy for praise after the all-rounder’s bowling in India’s win over Afghanistan in the first ODI.
The performance
Rain reduced the match to 25 overs per side. Reddy returned 2 for 31 from his four overs. He bowled Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a precise yorker that hit the middle stump, then dismissed the experienced Mohammad Nabi, who was caught at long-off.
Speaking to JioStar, Gavaskar said a bowler who can execute yorkers of that quality becomes a valuable asset. He observed that whenever Reddy tried something fancy he was hit for runs, but each time he went back to the yorker it worked.
Filling a gap
Reddy’s rise comes while India are without Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from a back spasm. The young all-rounder has made use of the chance, showing more pace and a refined action, and following an IPL 2026 season for Sunrisers Hyderabad in which he made 302 runs and took eight wickets.
Gavaskar said India now have someone who can operate as a fifth or sixth bowler, giving the captain and selectors flexibility depending on the pitch and the match situation. He described a player who is ready to be picked either as a batter or as a bowler as a huge plus for any team.
Series status
India lead the series 1-0. The second ODI is on Wednesday, June 17, at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
