Former India fielding coach R Sridhar has said that Nitish Kumar Reddy is currently not performing to the level his ability demands. Sridhar made the observation in the context of Reddy being touted as the ideal successor to fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the Indian team.
The Indian team management has been grooming Reddy with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Across 27 matches for India in all three formats, Reddy has scored 658 runs, including one century and two half-centuries, and has claimed 21 wickets.
"Nitish, I think, is slightly punching below his ability at the moment. Hopefully, he picks up more and picks up better with the bat. He's more than a capable batter. Maybe Nitish Kumar could be a better product by then, or Hardik could come back super fit and play an absolutely blinder of a World Cup. So let's wait till we get more clarity on that position," Sridhar told News18.
How has Reddy performed in the West Indies T20I series?
Reddy's batting returns in the T20I series against West Indies have been modest. He scored 9 runs in New Chandigarh, 21 runs in Indore, and 41 runs in Hyderabad, with his last T20I appearance coming on October 14, 2026 at Hyderabad.
Despite the slight improvement across the three games, the scores have not matched the expectations that come with his billing as a future cornerstone of the Indian middle order. The inconsistency across his 27 international appearances has drawn attention from former coaches who believe he has the tools to do considerably more at this level.
What do former India coaches make of Reddy's all-rounder credentials?
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has expressed confidence in Reddy's ability to fill the all-rounder role, particularly with Hardik Pandya absent from the upcoming India tour of New Zealand, which comprises five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. Arun, however, was clear that raw pace alone would not be sufficient.
"Hardik Pandya is an outstanding all-rounder. He'll surely be missed (in New Zealand). But then, in Nitish Kumar Reddy, I think we have an all-rounder candidate. He has got enough pace in him to bowl well at the international level. It's one thing having the pace. How good are you at executing what you want to do? That is going to be very challenging. Under trying conditions, under pressure, if you are able to execute perfectly what you want to, then you are a winner," Arun said, via the aforementioned source.
Both Sridhar and Arun agree that Reddy possesses the ability to grow into the role. The New Zealand tour, which follows the West Indies series, will give Reddy a significant opportunity to respond to the scrutiny from two coaches who have worked closely with the Indian team.
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