"Nitish Reddy Is Better Than Hardik Pandya in Tests": Gavaskar’s Verdict

The Indian batsmen have not risen to the occasion as a team in the currently running Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. But there were some brilliant knocks by the young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy who received huge acclamation from the experts as well as the fans.

Following the match-winning century that he made in the first innings of fourth test match against Australia on the Boxing Day in Melbourne, Nitish has become everyone’s favorite. The great Sunil Gavaskar heaped praises to the Hyderabad all-rounder and called him as one of the “shining young stars of Indian cricket”.

"The Melbourne Test brought to the fore one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket, Nitish Kumar Reddy. He came to the attention of the Indian cricket fans with his performances for the Hyderabad franchise in the IPL, and while he had not done much at the first-class level, it's a credit to Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors to have seen enough to pitchfork him into the Test arena," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

Nitish made an impactful debut in the first Test at Perth, showcasing his batting prowess with three scores in the 40s before finally achieving a remarkable century.

"In his debut Test match in Perth itself, it became evident that here was a cricketer who could read situations and play accordingly. With every subsequent Test match, that impression of a good 'cricketing head' on his shoulders began to get stronger and stronger," Gavaskar stated.

Gavaskar stated that India has been searching for a seam-bowling all rounder in the test format of the game after Hardik Pandya’s last appearance in 2018. While speaking about Nitish, the cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Nitish has to improve his bowling but his batting skills are better in Test matches as compared to Hardik.

"And in Melbourne, when India were looking down the barrel, he came through the fire with an outstanding century that has cemented his place in the team for a long time to come. Ever since the unavailability of Hardik Pandya for Test cricket, India has been looking for an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace and bat as well. Reddy's bowling is still a work in progress, but as a batter, he is definitely better than Pandya was around the same time," Gavaskar said.