Who will be Team India's seam bowling all-rounder in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25? Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur or India would try Harshit Rana who has a first class hundred.
With the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 around the corner, starting on November 22 in Perth, India’s pace attack is shaping up with a mix of emerging talent and the possibility of an experienced hand joining. With the series being held in Australia, India selectors have focused on bowlers who can exploit the pace and bounce typical of Australian pitches. Among the key players to watch are Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and potentially Shardul Thakur, who could earn a call-up if his performances shine before the tour.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Seam-bowling all-rounder with potential
An exciting addition to the India squad, Nitish Kumar Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, brings versatility as a batting all-rounder who also offers valuable seam-bowling skills. Known for his solid technique with the bat, Nitish’s seam movement could be an asset on Australian pitches. While primarily a middle-order batter, his role as a part-time seamer could provide vital balance to India’s attack, especially if utilised as a fourth or fifth bowling option.
Strengths
All-Round Capabilities: Nitish’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds depth to India’s line-up. This could be crucial on a long tour where managing workload is key.
Seam Movement: Nitish has shown an ability to move the ball off the pitch, which can be effective in Australia, where conditions often reward bowlers who can use the bounce.
Harshit Rana: The aggressive bowling all-rounder from Delhi
Delhi’s Harshit Rana, who has been called up for the third and final Test of the series against New Zealand at home, will also be on his first Test tour. He is another young talent with a bright future. Known for his raw pace and aggression, Harshit has made waves in domestic cricket with his ability to maintain high speeds and extract bounce. As a bowling all-rounder, his skill set aligns well with Australian conditions, where extra bounce and an attacking approach can put pressure on batters.
Strengths
Raw Pace and Bounce: Harshit’s height and bowling action make him an ideal candidate for Australian pitches. He can exploit the natural bounce in Perth and Melbourne, making life difficult for Australia’s batting line-up.
Attacking Mindset: Harshit’s aggressive bowling style and ability to target the stumps give India a bowler who can break partnerships and create wicket-taking opportunities.
Shardul Thakur: The experienced hand with potential for a recall
Although not part of the current squad, Shardul Thakur’s all-round capabilities make him a potential candidate for a late call-up if he delivers strong performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, leading up to the series. Shardul has previously shown his ability to make an impact in overseas conditions, notably in Australia. His knack for picking up crucial wickets and scoring lower-order runs was instrumental in India’s famous Gabbar win.
Strengths
Experience in Australian Conditions: Shardul’s past performances in Australia, combined with his knowledge of the pitches, could be invaluable for this tour if he gets a recall.
Lower-Order Contributions: His batting could strengthen the tail, giving India an extra edge in hard-fought Test matches where runs from lower-order players often make the difference. He already has a Test fifty down under which came under pressure.
What these selections mean for India’s bowling strategy
The mix of Harshit’s raw pace, Nitish’s versatility, and the potential for Shardul’s experience offers India a flexible pace attack for the Australian tour. With challenging Australian pitches demanding bowlers who can adapt to bounce and pace, these fast-bowling prospects provide options for different match scenarios. Jasprit Bumrah, Aakash Deep and Mohammed Siraj will likely lead the pace attack, but with Harshit and Nitish backing them up—and the possibility of Shardul joining in—India has multiple avenues to keep Australia on the back foot.
As the series approaches, the performances of these young guns, coupled with a potential late boost from Shardul, could set the tone for an intense and competitive Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Fans and selectors alike will be watching closely to see how India’s fast-bowling prospects fare in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
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