Why India want Nitish Kumar Reddy to get more ODI exposure before 2027 World Cup
Nitish was initially picked for India's Asian Games campaign, but he has now been moved into the squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.
Xtratime Webdesk: India are already looking beyond the immediate series. With the 2027 ODI World Cup less than a year away, the team management is keen to build a wider pool of seam-bowling all-rounders, and Nitish Kumar Reddy's promotion to the ODI squad is a clear part of that plan.
Nitish was initially picked for India's Asian Games campaign, but he has now been moved into the squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The change gives the 23-year-old an opportunity to spend more time in the 50-over format and, importantly, continue developing his bowling.
His recent performances against Afghanistan have strengthened the case for giving him that exposure. Nitish picked up three wickets in each of the second and third T20Is, showing that he can offer India another bowling option while also contributing in the middle order.
For India, the bigger objective is not simply to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya. The management wants to create more options before the World Cup. Hardik is currently not ready to bowl a full 10-over spell and is being given time to regain match fitness before returning to international cricket. He is expected to use the India A series against Australia A as part of that process. That also explains why Nitish's opportunity matters.
Gautam Gambhir has indicated that India could eventually play both Hardik and Nitish if both are fit and capable of fulfilling their bowling roles. The idea is to develop multiple seam-bowling all-rounders rather than depend on a single player.
For Nitish, the West Indies ODIs therefore represent more than another international assignment. They are an opportunity to show that he can handle the demands of 50-over cricket and potentially become an important part of India's plans for the 2027 World Cup.
