Adam Gilchrist concurs with Sunil Gavaskar's assessment of Nitish Kumar Reddy's placement in India's Test batting lineup

India’s batting woes persisted in Adelaide as they suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Even with the comeback of captain Rohit Sharma, the team struggled to build on their lead, and the series is now tied at 1-1. Despite the disappointing result, Nitish Kumar Reddy stood out as a bright spot for Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff, maintaining his strong performances from the first Test.

In Adelaide, Reddy registered 42 off 54 balls in the first innings and played a knock of 42 off 47 deliveries in the second. He also took a wicket in the first innings of the Test match.

On Cricbuzz, Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist was asked by journalist Harsha Bhogle about Reddy’s performance. He was also asked if he agreed with Sunil Gavaskar’s stance that Reddy is better-suited to no. 6 in the batting order and could also complement as the third seamer when required.

“Yes, he’s looked every inch a Test cricketer, in everything he’s been asked to do. He has picked up a couple of wickets across the two Test matches but his batting, I think you have described it perfectly Harsha, it is very sound defence but then he can very quickly flip over to offence. He’s every inch a Test cricketer, I think everything that’s been asked of him, “ he said.

Agreeing with Gavaskar, he added, “He had a lovely partnership with Virat over there in Perth, provided that bit of resistance in Adelaide and just his stroke play, he is well-based on a sound defence but quickly flips it into offence whenever he needs to and I think he’s looked very calm, composed and if he is required in the team for an extended period, he will go a little bit higher than where has been at the moment in the batting order.”

In Perth too, Reddy came up with the goods in the first innings when India folded for 150, registering 41 off 59 balls. Meanwhile, he smacked an unbeaten knock of 38* runs off 27 balls in the second innings, and also had a brilliant partnership with Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 100*. India won the first Test by 295 runs.