Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy and What Changes are Happening in the 2nd ODI?
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Synopsis
In the second ODI at Rajkot, India introduces Nitish Kumar Reddy to replace Washington Sundar as New Zealand opts to bowl first. With India leading the series, both teams are set for an exciting showdown. Will the new faces change the game's dynamics?
Key Takeaways
- Nitish Kumar Reddy replaces Washington Sundar in the Indian lineup.
- New Zealand opts to bowl first after winning the toss.
- India leads the series 1-0.
- Jayden Lennox makes his debut for New Zealand.
- Captains emphasize the importance of middle overs.
Rajkot, Jan 14 (NationPress) India has introduced seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy into the lineup as New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first in the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday.
India currently leads the three-match series 1-0, following their victory in the first match in Vadodara. Nitish takes the place of off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is sidelined from the series due to a left rib injury and will undergo evaluation by the BCCI medical team.
“We actually would have preferred to bat first, based on our recent games here. There wasn’t much dew yesterday, and the players feel the pitch tends to slow down as the innings progress, making batting first a more favorable choice. Personally, I felt great in the last match - my rhythm and fluency were on point, and it’s always satisfying to contribute. I hope to build on that and deliver a significant performance today,” said India captain Shubman Gill.
“The middle overs were vital for us last time. They started well, but we managed to regain control, especially with our fast bowlers taking wickets during those overs, which proved crucial. It’s challenging in these conditions, but they mixed their pace and variations effectively,” he added.
On the other hand, New Zealand has given a debut to left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, who replaces leg-spinner Adithya Ashok in their squad. “It appears to be a solid pitch, and we hope that the dew will factor in later in the evening, making conditions more favorable for batting under lights,” the New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell mentioned.
“The last match was tightly contested, and I was proud of how the team fought until the end. We created opportunities with a couple of late wickets, and today we aim to continue taking wickets through the middle overs to build pressure,” he stated.
“With many young players in our squad, playing in front of large crowds and all the noise is an excellent learning experience for them. The conditions are different for us here, particularly with 40,000 supporters cheering for the home team, but we are eager to embrace this challenge,” he concluded.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakary Foulkes, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, and Kristian Clarke
Point of View
It is essential to remain impartial and focus on the sporting spectacle. The introduction of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian side heightens anticipation for this ODI. Both teams are under pressure, making this a crucial match in the series. We stand with the spirit of sportsmanship and the excitement that cricket brings.
NationPress
14/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy?
Nitish Kumar Reddy is a seam-bowling all-rounder who has been included in the Indian squad for the second ODI.
Why was Washington Sundar replaced?
Washington Sundar was ruled out due to a left rib injury and is under assessment by the BCCI medical team.
What was the outcome of the first ODI?
India won the first ODI, leading the three-match series 1-0.
Who is making their debut for New Zealand?
Jayden Lennox, a left-arm spinner, is making his debut for New Zealand in this match.
What is the significance of the match?
This match is crucial for both teams as India aims to extend their lead in the series while New Zealand seeks to level it.
