Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of 2nd ODI vs Afghanistan with sore thigh
Synopsis
Nitish Kumar Reddy's sore left thigh has forced him out of the second ODI in Lucknow, just days after his match-winning 2 for 31 in Dharamsala. India responded with three changes, including a debut for Prince Yadav — their third debutant in as many matches — as the hosts look to seal the series against Afghanistan.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the 2nd ODI against Afghanistan on 17 June due to a sore left thigh .
The BCCI confirmed the medical team is monitoring his progress.
Reddy had taken 2 for 31 in the first ODI, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi .
India made three changes to their XI, bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal , Kuldeep Yadav , and debutant Prince Yadav .
Prince Yadav is India's third debutant of the series, after Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar .
India lead the series 1-0 after a seven-wicket win in the first ODI in Dharamsala .
India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the second ODI against Afghanistan at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, 17 June, due to a sore left thigh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development in an official statement released after the toss, noting that the medical team is monitoring his recovery.
BCCI Statement on Reddy's Injury
'Nitish Kumar Reddy was unavailable for selection for the second ODI due to a sore left thigh. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,' the board said. The 23-year-old had been a key contributor in the series opener and his absence adds a layer of uncertainty to India's pace-bowling options for the remainder of the series.
Reddy's Role in the First ODI
In the rain-curtailed first ODI in Dharamsala on Saturday, Reddy delivered a composed performance with the ball, finishing with figures of 2 for 31. His wickets were far from routine — he removed Afghanistan's explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had blazed a century off just 48 deliveries, and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, helping India restrict the visitors to 194 in a 25-overs-a-side contest. India chased down the target with authority, winning by seven wickets to draw first blood in the series.
India's Three Changes for the Second ODI
With Reddy unavailable, India made three changes to the playing XI that won in Dharamsala. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav were brought in, while debutant Prince Yadav was handed his maiden cap — making him the third debutant in this series. Harsh Dubey and Prasidh Krishna, who featured in the first match, were left out of the XI. Dubey and Gurnoor Brar had earned their debuts in the first ODI. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl.
Series Context and What's at Stake
India lead the series 1-0 heading into the Lucknow fixture. The first game underscored both the promise of India's emerging talent pool and the lingering vulnerability in their bowling depth when key players are unavailable. Notably, this is already the second fitness concern to surface across the squad in this short series, raising questions about workload management ahead of a packed international calendar. How Shubman Gill's side adapts to Reddy's absence — and whether Prince Yadav can make an immediate impact on debut — will shape the narrative of the second game.
Point of View
Removing the two most dangerous Afghan batters at critical junctures. India's decision to hand three debuts across two matches reflects genuine selection intent, but it also compresses the margin for error. If Reddy misses more than one game, the balance between a sixth bowling option and batting depth becomes a live selection dilemma for the remainder of the series.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing in the 2nd ODI against Afghanistan?
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the second ODI due to a sore left thigh. The BCCI confirmed the injury in a statement released after the toss on 17 June, adding that the medical team is monitoring his progress.
What did Nitish Kumar Reddy do in the first ODI?
Reddy took 2 for 31 in the rain-curtailed first ODI in Dharamsala, dismissing Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz — who had scored a century off 48 balls — and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. His wickets helped India restrict Afghanistan to 194, and India won by seven wickets.
Who replaced Nitish Reddy in India's playing XI for the 2nd ODI?
India made three changes in total, bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and debutant Prince Yadav. Harsh Dubey and Prasidh Krishna, who played the first ODI, were left out of the XI.
Who is Prince Yadav and why is his debut significant?
Prince Yadav made his ODI debut in the second match against Afghanistan in Lucknow, becoming India's third debutant of the series after Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar, who earned their caps in the first ODI in Dharamsala.
What is the current series score between India and Afghanistan?
India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after winning the first game in Dharamsala by seven wickets in a rain-shortened 25-overs-a-side contest.
