Team India faced an early blow ahead of the T20I series against Australia as young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the first three matches due to injury. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh’s continued exclusion from the playing XI in Canberra has left fans questioning the team’s selection choices.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Recovery Setback
Reddy, who made his ODI debut in the recent series against Australia, is yet to recover from the left quadriceps injury he sustained during the second ODI in Adelaide. Just as he began rehabilitation, he developed neck spasms, hampering his recovery process.
The BCCI Medical Team confirmed that Reddy’s condition is being closely monitored. The 22-year-old had a modest start to his international career, scoring 27 runs in two innings and conceding 40 runs in 5.1 overs without a wicket. He was ruled out of the final ODI in Sydney and has now been sidelined from the first half of the T20I series.
Arshdeep Singh’s Absence Sparks Debate
While Reddy recovers, Arshdeep Singh’s omission from the T20I lineup has stirred discussions among cricket enthusiasts. The left-arm pacer, who became India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is earlier this year, did not find a place in the XI for the series opener at Manuka Oval.
Despite playing only two matches in the Asia Cup — where he picked up two wickets and reached the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is — Arshdeep continues to be overlooked. In his place, the selectors chose Harshit Rana, who earned the spot after an impressive four-wicket haul in the final ODI against Australia.
Rana’s batting ability at No. 8 also worked in his favor, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack for India in the opening match.
Playing XIs
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (w), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood.
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
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