Nitish Kumar Reddy has played four T20Is for India, picking up three wickets, and scoring 90 runs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy in the last year or so, became a vital cog in the Indian team machinery. Now, with him being almost ruled out from the Asia Cup 2025 squad, due to a left knee injury, the question does arise, which player can replace the all-rounder? Well, technically in the presence of Hardik Pandya, Indian management wouldn’t really feel the need for any other player, but then, coach Gautam Gambhir likes his side full of all-rounders. So, the ‘who’ question is all the more relevant.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Could Miss Asia Cup 2025
If we are looking for like-for-like replacements, there aren’t many options available in the country. Often, fast bowlers who can bat a bit, tend to play as all-rounders. But let’s assume they are ruled out. So, the first option has to be Shivam Dube. The 32-year-old has played 35 T20Is for India, picking up 13 wickets, and scoring 531 runs.
He had a decent IPL 2025 season with the bat, where he went on to score 357 runs in 14 outings, at an average of 32, while bowling-wise, he just bowled two overs, and didn’t pick any wickets. Yet, he is the best replacement, truth be told. Just for the sake of options, let us talk about a couple more.
Shivam Dube Looks Like the Only Good Option
Raj Bawa played for MI in the IPL season, and in three games didn’t have much to do. In three outings, he scored 8 runs and didn’t pick a wicket. PBKS’ Suryansh Shedge played 5 encounters, scored 7 runs and picked up 0 wickets. So he too is ruled out. Lastly, there was Venkatesh Iyer. The KKR vice-captain had a horrid season with the bat, scoring only 142 in 11 games, and didn’t bowl a single delivery.
That makes the selection pretty simple for Ajit Agarkar & Co. Shivam Dube emerges as the only likely candidate, as a replacement for injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, if the latter doesn’t regain full fitness ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. But then, these are all assumptions, and the truth will only be out, the BCCI decides to announce the India squad.
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