'Fast-tracking Nitish Reddy for Tests serves no purpose'

Nitish Kumar Reddy (Photo Source: X) India have picked three rookies in the Test squad for the coming Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia, one of which is seam-up all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy , who has moved up the ranks since his Indian Premier League (IPL) exploits earlier this year at breakneck speed to now stand at the cusp of a possible Test debut. However, former India pacer Dodda Ganesh believes fast-tracking him "serves no purpose". Reddy, who was in Australia with the 'A' team before India's Test squad arrived, was picked for the BGT along with the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran and Harshit Rana for the five-Test series beginning November 22 in Perth .

Reddy first showcased his skills on the big stage for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, earning him a call-up to India's T20 squad against Bangladesh. His 74-run knock and two-wicket spell in the second match of the series earned him more recognition, and eventually a place in the Test squad. Middle-Order Batter? Opener? Still No Fixed Slot For KL Rahul in India Set-Up In his four innings of two unofficial Tests against Australia 'A' earlier this month, Reddy's highest was 38 and he took just one wicket.

Ahead of the opening Test of the BGT, former India coach Ravi Shastri has tipped Reddy to make his Test debut in Perth as his batting lower down the order and seam-up bowling can lend balance to the visitors' playing eleven. However, former pace Ganesh feels that call will be a bit too soon, if taken. "This fas.