AUS vs IND, 1st T20I LIVE: Why Nitish Kumar Reddy is not playing this match?

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the promising Indian all-rounder, will miss the first three T20Is against Australia due to health issues. He is recovering from a left quadriceps injury, complicated by neck spasms

Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss the first three games of the series. Image | BCCI on X

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the young all-rounder from India, will miss the first three T20 International matches against Australia due to health concerns, confirmed BCCI in an official release. This news comes as a setback for Team India ahead of the highly anticipated T20I series beginning shortly.

Where to watch the match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs India, 1st T20I live on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

Reddy to miss the first three matches of the series

Nitish had been nursing a left quadriceps injury sustained during the second ODI in Adelaide. Although he was initially on track with his rehabilitation, complications emerged when he began experiencing neck spasms. These spasms have significantly hampered his recovery progress and impacted his mobility, making it unsafe for him to be part of the playing XI in the upcoming matches.

Read Also: 4 stats you should know before the Australia vs India, 1st T20I

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Medical Team is actively monitoring Nitish Kumar Reddy’s condition to ensure his safe return to the squad. This cautious approach underscores the priority given to player health and fitness, especially in an intense and fast-paced format like T20 cricket.

Nitish’s absence will require Team India to rethink its balance and combination for the first three T20Is against Australia. Known for his dynamic batting and handy bowling, Nitish’s all-round capabilities make him a valuable asset, especially on pitches that demand versatility.

Read Also: 7 Indians who captained India in all formats (men's)

Australia won the toss in the first T20I

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won his 18th consecutive toss and decided to bowl first in the first T20I of the series. He felt that chasing would be easier in Canberra whereas Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who wanted the bat first, felt that it would get slower in the second innings and chasing would be tougher.

Playing XIs

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis(w), Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Share