Former India Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has thrown his weight behind all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, urging the team management to give him another opportunity in the fourth T20I against West Indies in Hyderabad. India are leading the five-match series 2-1 after a 14-run victory in Indore. Pujara’s comments on JioHotstar’s Game Plan have sparked discussion about continuity versus change in the national side.
Nitish Reddy has featured in all three matches so far, contributing 30 runs with the bat and two wickets with the ball. Despite the low returns, Pujara remains convinced the young all-rounder deserves another chance. “Nitish Kumar Reddy, I think he did a good job. So, I would want to see him get one more chance,” he said
Cheteshwar Pujara picks India’s Playing XI for Hyderabad T20I
In Pujara’s preferred XI for the next match, Reddy slots in at No. 6, followed by in-form Naman Dhir at No. 7. “I wouldn’t want many changes in the top order. So Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma would open, Ishan Kishan would be at No. 3, Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, and Tilak Varma at No. 5,” he explained.
Pujara also outlined his bowling preferences. “Axar Patel at No. 8. Among the fast bowlers, Arshdeep Singh at No. 9. Mayank Yadav is bowling well. So he should also be played. The question for the Indian team in Hyderabad would be how the pitch is,” he said.
Depending on conditions, he suggested the final spot could go to either Prince Yadav or Kuldeep Yadav. “If there is more help for the spinners, you might want to bring back someone like Kuldeep. If the wicket is like Indore, with slight help for the fast bowlers, you will continue with the same playing XI,” he added.
Pujara’s predicted XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Prince Yadav or Kuldeep Yadav.
