When hardik: Cricket News & Match Updates

Nitish Kumar Reddy: India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said the side has identified Nitish Kumar Reddy as the natural successor to Hardik Pandya in the seam‑bowling all‑rounder role, adding that the youngster has been groomed over the last 18 months with next year’s World Cup in mind.

Reddy missed the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow due to soreness in his left thigh and could return for the clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. “When Hardik’s fit, he obviously brings a different element because he’s such a strong batter, such a strong finisher. That sort of role scarcity is difficult to find - a finisher who can give you overs as well.

“So those guys are all tracking really nicely. Like I said with Nitish, for the last 18 months, he’s shown glimpses of how important he can be to this team, particularly in this format. I feel his body’s getting stronger and stronger, and I sort of feel he is the natural successor or back‑up to Hardik,” Ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference.   Read More...