Morne Morkel, the bowling coach for India, has expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar Reddy’s potential to evolve into a valuable all-rounder for the national team as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Reddy is set to demonstrate his skills in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
Despite having participated in only six ODIs to date, Reddy has made a mark with his bowling performance in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan, where he took three wickets in both the second and third matches. With Hardik Pandya still recovering from injury, Reddy may have a chance to secure a more prominent role in the ODI lineup.
Morkel commented on Reddy’s impressive bowling during the T20 series, stating, “If we look back at the T20s, his ability to bowl in various situations has been remarkable. The key message for him is to keep it simple and focus on the fundamentals. He is a talented player with skills in batting, bowling, and fielding, and his eagerness to create opportunities is commendable.”
Reddy’s Journey and Fitness Challenges
Reddy has faced fitness challenges, missing the series against Ireland and England due to a quadriceps injury before returning for the ODIs against Afghanistan. He was later included in the ODI squad for the West Indies after being withdrawn from the Asian Games team, as Pandya continues to regain his fitness.
During a practice session ahead of the first ODI, Reddy showcased his skills by moving the ball late and successfully beating captain Shubman Gill’s edge twice. He also induced an edge from Rohit Sharma and appeared confident with the bat.
Defining Reddy’s Role for Growth
Morkel emphasized the importance of providing Reddy with a clear role to facilitate his development. He stated, “We want to focus on how consistent he can be and how well he can execute the basics. It’s crucial to give him opportunities to learn and grow in this environment.”
He added, “We have time to nurture Reddy’s talent, and it would be beneficial for Indian cricket if he competes for the all-rounder position. He possesses the necessary skills, but we must manage him effectively and keep his role straightforward.”
Preparing for the World Cup
As India gears up for the 2027 World Cup, the ODI series against the West Indies is a critical part of their preparation. The team will also play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka later this year, followed by three ODIs against Zimbabwe in early 2027.
Morkel stressed the need for players to embrace pressure and learn to navigate challenging situations rather than merely focusing on securing their spots in the team. He remarked, “The players must understand the standards we aim to achieve as we approach the World Cup. It’s essential to put ourselves under pressure starting with this series against the West Indies.”
Workload Management for Bowlers
Morkel also highlighted the significance of managing the bowlers’ workload, especially after a series of injuries within the pace-bowling unit. He noted, “We are continuously monitoring workload management to ensure our players are fit and ready for selection. With Hardik and Harshit Rana still sidelined, we are eager to have them back on the field.”
Squads for India vs West Indies
India will face the West Indies in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
India ODI squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.