3 reasons why India must select Nitish Kumar Reddy in Champions Trophy 2025 squad

The Champions Trophy 2025 is around the corner. The Indian squad for the eight-nation mega event is likely to be announced shortly. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is yet to make his debut in the ODI format, is one of the contenders for the all-rounder slot in the squad for the mega ICC event.

Former chief selector MSK Prasad has advocated for his inclusion in the Indian squad for the mega event. In an interview with TOI, the former wicketkeeper-batter stated:

"People often say that One Day Internationals (ODIs) are a perfect blend of Test cricket's resilience and T20 cricket's explosiveness. Nitish has proven to be a rare combination of class and aggression, excelling across formats in his short but impactful international career. Having already seized opportunities in T20s and Tests, Nitish's exceptional form and versatility make a strong case for his inclusion in India's upcoming ODI squad against England. His consistency and ability to rise to the ocassion also positon him as a key contender for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad."

On that note, let's look at three reasons why Nitish Kumar Reddy must be selected for Champions Trophy 2025:

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#1 Has been in stellar form in his debut year in international cricket

Form plays a crucial role in international cricket. Nitish Kumar Reddy has had an excellent start to his international career. Team India would want to take advantage of Reddy's golden period, especially with the bat.

He first came to the limelight with a blistering innings of 74 from just 34 balls in his second T20I against Bangladesh. The innings included seven maximums and Reddy announced his arrival on the big stage.

He took to Test cricket like a duck to water and ended up as India's second-highest run-getter (298) in the five-match Test series. He displayed a perfect combination of grit, determination, and temperament and played crucial knocks under pressure. His century in Melbourne during the Boxing Day Test was one of the highlights for Team India in BGT 2024-25.

Though he is yet to make his debut in ODIs, Reddy's performances in T20Is and Tests and his form with the bat over the past few months should warrant a place for him in India's squad for the Champions Trophy.

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#2 Useful all-rounder and a perfect backup for Hardik Pandya

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a handy all-rounder. Apart from his heroics with the bat against Bangladesh in T20Is and against Australia in Tests, Reddy is more than handy with the ball. His presence in the playing XI provides the skipper with an extra option with the ball if the need arises.

Reddy has picked up three T20I wickets in as many matches at an impressive average of 23.67 with the ball. He also picked up five Test wickets. Reddy can pick up wickets and break crucial partnerships as witnessed in his short international career.

With the bat, he can be used as a floater anywhere in the middle-order and could be a force to reckon with especially in the death overs with the bat in hand.

Hardik Pandya in all likelihood be the first-choice pace bowling all-rounder for team India in the Champions Trophy 2025. He has played a crucial role for Team India over the past few years and has single-handedly won many matches for the team in white-ball cricket.

Pandya was injured mid-way through the World Cup 2023 and Team India failed to find a like-for-like replacement. Reddy perfectly fits the bill and is one of the players to watch out for shortly.

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#3 Could be effective on the pitches in Dubai and is relatively unknown for many teams

Team India will play all its matches during the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. The pitches in Dubai are likely to be on a slow side with spin expected to play a crucial part.

Reddy is a handy player against spin and can attack spinners from the word go to unsettle them. In the recent past, Team India were stunned by Sri Lankan spinners in an ODI series in Sri Lanka and thereafter whitewashed at home (3-0) against New Zealand in Tests where spin played a crucial role. Reddy was not a part of the playing XI in either of the said matches and will have no ghosts of the said matches lost.

Further, Reddy is relatively unknown to most of the teams as he has played a handful of international matches (8). He could be the dark horse for Team India in the Champions Trophy and deserves a place in the Indian squad.