Nitish Kumar Reddy Released From India’s Test Squad Before South Africa Series Opener
India released Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Test squad as Pant and Jurel were confirmed for the South Africa opener.
Just two days before the opening test of the two-match series against South Africa at Eden Park, the Indian cricket team management has released uncapped all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from the squad, redirecting him to join the India A side for their ongoing unofficial test against South Africa A in Rajkot. The decision, reported by India Today on November 12, 2025, stems from a crowded lower-order lineup, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirming that both wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are locked in for the playing XI starting Friday. Reddy, a 22-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh, had been part of the Test squad since his inclusion earlier this year but struggled to make an impact, aggregating modest scores of 1, 30, 13, 0, and 43 across his last five innings while seeing limited bowling opportunities on recent overseas tours.
Ten Doeschate, addressing the media in Kolkata on Wednesday, underscored Jurel's compelling case for selection, highlighting the 24-year-old's explosive form in red-ball cricket. Jurel notched back-to-back centuries—an unbeaten 132 off 175 balls in the first innings and another off 159 in the second—against South Africa A in the second unofficial Test in Bengaluru last week, amassing 12 fours and four sixes in the process. "I would be very surprised if you don't see Dhruv and Rishabh playing in this test this week," the former Netherlands cricketer remarked, emphasising Jurel's consistency over the past six months. Pant, India's primary keeper since his dramatic return from a near-fatal car accident in 2022, remains undroppable, blending aggressive batting with reliable glovework, while Jurel's emergence adds depth to a position previously vulnerable to injuries.
The move reflects a strategic pivot for the series opener on a spin-friendly Eden Park pitch, where conditions are expected to favour tweakers over seamers, reducing the utility of Reddy's skill set. Team management plans to lean on established all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar for balance, prioritising batting stability in the middle order amid South Africa's pace-heavy attack led by Kagiso Rabada. Ten Doeschate elaborated on this team-first approach, noting that individual development, while important, must align with match-winning needs: "The strategy comes before the individual." Reddy's release allows him to regain rhythm in domestic cricket, building on his white-ball promise—including a breakout IPL 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad—before potential recalls for future assignments.
Also Read: Jurel’s Red-Ball Dominance Makes Him Contender for No.3 Against South Africa
As India aims to extend their dominance in home tests, where they've won 17 of the last 18 since 2013, Jurel's inclusion signals a generational shift in the keeping department. His overall red-ball stats since September—1,059 runs in nine matches at an average exceeding 81, with four centuries and six fifties—position him as a long-term asset, having already contributed 430 Test runs at 47.77, including a century against the West Indies earlier this year. With the series serving as crucial preparation for the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle, fans anticipate a competitive clash against a South African side rebuilding post their T20 World Cup exploits, all while Reddy sharpens his tools in Rajkot.
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