Reacting to the 15-member squad, Badrinath took aim at what he described as the continued backing received by certain players, particularly Sundar, while also expressing reservations about Reddy\u2019s credentials as a bowling all-rounder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt first look, the coach\u2019s favourites are back. Washington Sundar is getting tremendous backing in Indian cricket. He needs to really make use of it,\u201d Badrinath said on his YouTube channel<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Badrinath then turned his attention to Reddy, making it clear that his assessment of the youngster was primarily based on his bowling ability rather than his batting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd somehow I don\u2019t rate Nitish Kumar Reddy so high. That\u2019s because of his bowling. I still feel he\u2019s a batter and not someone I rate with the ball,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Afghanistan series will see India make several changes to their squad, with a number of prominent names in line to return from injury. Jasprit Bumrah, Sundar, Nitish and Harshit Rana have all been included, although their participation remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI\u2019s Centre of Excellence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Badrinath was critical of some of the selections, he viewed Bumrah\u2019s possible comeback as a significant positive for India, especially with the Asian Games gold-medal defence scheduled later this month in Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBumrah\u2019s return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We don\u2019t know that,\u201d Badrinath stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former batter also suggested that Bumrah himself may have pushed for a return to competitive cricket after spending time on the sidelines. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBumrah\u2019s return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We don\u2019t know that,\u201d Badrinath stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bumrah last played during India\u2019s ODI series in England in July before a left knee injury forced him out of the subsequent Sri Lanka tour. His potential return against Afghanistan would therefore offer India an opportunity to bring their pace spearhead back into action ahead of a busy period on the international calendar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n