India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy returned to the playing XI for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai on Saturday, July 20, after recovering from a thigh injury that ruled him out of the second match. The 23-year-old was one of three changes made by India, alongside Prasidh Krishna and Harsh Dubey, as the hosts looked to complete a clean sweep of the three-match series.
India had already clinched the ODI series with victories in Dharamsala and Lucknow, giving the team management an opportunity to rotate players and assess squad depth ahead of a busy international calendar.
Speaking at the toss, India captain Shubman Gill confirmed the changes to the side after Afghanistan opted to bat first.
“Yes, we’ve made three changes. Prasidh comes back into the side, Harsh Dubey comes back, and Nitish is back as well,” Gill said.
Reddy’s return comes as a welcome boost for India after the all-rounder was sidelined with a sore left thigh ahead of the second ODI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed that the youngster was unavailable for selection due to the injury.
“Nitish Kumar Reddy was unavailable for selection for the second ODI due to a sore left thigh. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the board had said in a statement released after the toss in Lucknow.
The injury had interrupted what has been an encouraging run for Reddy in India’s ODI setup. The all-rounder impressed in the opening match of the series and has continued to establish himself as a valuable multi-dimensional option in the squad with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
REDDY EYES ANOTHER IMPACTFUL OUTING
Reddy made a significant impact in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala, particularly with the ball. In a rain-curtailed contest, the youngster delivered a disciplined spell to finish with figures of 2 for 31 and played a key role in restricting the visitors.
Among his wickets were Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, two crucial breakthroughs that helped India keep the opposition to 194. His ability to strike at important moments earned praise from the team management and further strengthened his case as a long-term option in India’s white-ball plans.
With the series already secured, India will be keen to give Reddy valuable game time as he returns from injury. The Chennai ODI also provides another opportunity for Prasidh Krishna and Harsh Dubey to stake their claims ahead of future assignments.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be hoping to end the tour on a positive note after suffering defeats in the opening two matches. For India, the focus remains on maintaining momentum and testing combinations, with Reddy’s successful return likely to be one of the key takeaways from the final ODI.
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