Aakash Chopra questions decision to leave out Nitish Kumar Reddy
Chopra said he would have played Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioned why the team is not using him in T20Is now.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned the decision to leave out Nitish Kumar Reddy from the first T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow. Chopra said his thinking does not align with the team management on selection. India won the match by eight wickets after bowling out West Indies for 171.
Naman Dhir made his T20I debut and took three wickets. Dhir dismissed Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer. Chopra praised Dhir's ability to adjust his bowling after being hit for sixes.
Chopra criticised West Indies batting and said the pitch should have produced 200. He also noted Mayank Yadav looked rusty on his return from injury, conceding 40 runs from four overs.
CricHubb Take
Chopra's point exposes a selection pattern where players are kept in the squad but rarely used, creating a bench that never gains match rhythm. Reddy's continued absence suggests the management sees him as a future option rather than a current necessity.