India’s Coach Criticizes Nitish Kumar Reddy Following Disappointing Performance in Second ODI
Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate provided a candid evaluation following India’s seven-wicket loss to New Zealand in the second ODI. He highlighted the struggles of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who failed to make a significant impact despite being given multiple opportunities. Additionally, ten Doeschate noted that captain Rohit Sharma is still “short on cricket” as the series progresses, raising concerns about his form.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Nitish Kumar Reddy was the sole change in India’s lineup for the second ODI, but his performance fell short of expectations. Scoring only 20 runs and going wicketless in two overs, Reddy could not capitalize on what ten Doeschate described as a crucial opportunity. The assistant coach emphasized the importance of such chances for players trying to establish themselves in the team. “For someone who’s making their way, particularly with the bat tonight, it was that perfect chance where you’re walking in that situation and you’ve got a chance to spend 15 overs at the wicket,” he stated. Reddy’s inability to make a mark raises questions about his future selection, as ten Doeschate reiterated the need for players to seize their opportunities.
The match also revealed potential misjudgments regarding team composition. Ten Doeschate reflected on the conditions, noting that New Zealand’s spinners thrived on the pitch. He suggested that an additional spinner might have been more effective than relying on an all-rounder like Reddy. “To bring Ayush (Badoni) into the squad at the very last minute with Washy (Washington Sundar) going down in the last game, we thought Nitish should be better suited on this track,” he explained. This decision may have contributed to India’s struggles in the match.
Rohit Sharma’s Form and Match Practice
Rohit Sharma’s performance has come under scrutiny as well, with ten Doeschate indicating that a lack of match practice could be affecting the captain’s form. Despite participating in two Vijay Hazare Trophy games earlier in the season, Rohit has not looked as fluent as usual. “Over a short period of time if you take the first ODI, he’s not been as fluent as he has been and that’s going to be a challenge for him,” ten Doeschate remarked. He dismissed the idea that Rohit was consciously changing his approach, attributing his struggles to the challenging conditions and limited recent play.
The assistant coach noted that the pitch conditions were not conducive to batting, particularly for someone like Rohit, who relies on timing. “It’s just a combination of the wickets being slightly difficult and maybe just being a little bit short on cricket leading into the series,” he said. This assessment underscores the challenges faced by the Indian captain as he seeks to regain his form.
KL Rahul’s Role and Team Strategy
KL Rahul’s recent performances have opened up new possibilities for India’s batting order. Ten Doeschate expressed confidence in Rahul’s ability to perform at No. 5, highlighting his quality hundred in the match. “KL is certainly good enough to be at No. 5,” he stated. The assistant coach also pointed out that the demands of wicketkeeping in 50-over cricket are manageable, suggesting that Rahul’s role could be expanded.
The team’s strategy has evolved over the past 18 months, with a focus on lengthening the batting order. Ten Doeschate mentioned the potential for using all-rounders in various positions, including higher up the order. This flexibility could be crucial as the series progresses, allowing India to adapt to different match situations.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Bowling Form
Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s recent modest wicket returns, ten Doeschate expressed no concerns regarding the all-rounder’s performance. He acknowledged that Jadeja’s statistics remain impressive, even if his wicket tally has been lower than expected. “I don’t think he’s feeling the heat. His stats are crazy and he’s probably been a bit light on wickets of late,” he noted.
The assistant coach believes that Jadeja is improving in terms of pace and technique, which could lead to better wicket-taking opportunities in the future. “The things we’ve looked at in terms of his pace that he’s bowling, the things we’ve asked him to work on, I feel like he is actually bowling better,” ten Doeschate concluded. This optimism suggests that Jadeja’s contributions will be vital as India aims to bounce back in the series.
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