India’s rising all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy were thrown out of Third ODI against Australia At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), fans are curious about his absence.
Why is Nitish Reddy not playing today’s match against Australia?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the 21-year-old suffered a left quadriceps injury during the second ODI in Adelaide, forcing him to miss the final match of the series. Given Reddy’s growing role as a reliable lower-order batsman and seam-bowling option, the setback was a blow to the balance of India’s team.
According to the BCCI medical staff, Reddy suffered the injury while fielding during the Adelaide match. The team physiotherapist assessed his condition and advised rest as it was unsafe for him to take the field in Sydney. With several international series and domestic tournaments underway, the management decided to prioritize Reddy’s rehabilitation and long-term fitness rather than short-term participation.
In a formal statement, the BCCI said:
“Nitish Kumar Reddy is not available for selection in the 3rd ODI due to a left quadriceps injury sustained in the previous game. He is under the observation of the medical team and will continue his rehabilitation before considering a return.”
This assurance indicates that the injury, although significant enough to rule him out of this match, is not expected to be a long-term concern.
Reddy’s injury came just when he was gaining momentum at the international level. Known for his composed batting and clever seam bowling, the young all-rounder has impressed the selectors and fans since his debut. His ability to play steady innings under pressure and contribute crucial overs in the middle stage has made him one of India’s most promising players in the limited overs format.
Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna have returned to India’s playing eleven.
Reddy’s absence led to a tactical reshuffle in India’s playing eleven for the third ODI. Kuldeep Yadav returned to take advantage of the traditionally spin-friendly conditions at the SCG, while Prasidh Krishna replaced Arshdeep Singh to strengthen the pace department. The team sought a balanced attack that included both seamers and spinners to counter Australia’s aggressive batting lineup.
Also read: AUS vs IND – Ravichandran Ashwin chose ‘Yuvraj Singh’ of Australian cricket
AUS vs IND: Playing XI of both the teams
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Also read: Top 5 Indian players with most number of dismissals in ODI cricket. Virat Kohli
