Can Nitish Kumar Reddy Bowl Magical Balls?

Beckenham (United Kingdom), June 11 (NationPress) India's bowling coach Morne Morkel stated that Nitish Kumar Reddy possesses the ability to bowl magical deliveries. He emphasized that the seam-bowling all-rounder is eager to enhance his bowling consistency and intends to bowl more overs in the forthcoming Test series against England, which kicks off on June 20 in Leeds.

Reddy made his Test debut during last year's tour of Australia, where he impressively scored a Test century at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test. Currently, he is competing for a position as a seam bowling all-rounder in the playing eleven alongside Shardul Thakur. In two red-ball matches against the England Lions, Reddy bowled 26.5 overs but has yet to secure the all-rounder's role completely.

"Certainly, having more bowling options is advantageous. He’s skilled and capable of delivering that magical ball. For him, it's essential to develop that consistency, which is something we want to focus on, as it's crucial for his game. I've discussed this with him and challenged him to bowl more often," Morkel mentioned during a press briefing.

"I want to see him with the ball more. We know his batting prowess, but having him as a bowling option, especially in these conditions, would be exciting and beneficial for our bowling attack," Morkel added, speaking to reporters after India's training session on Wednesday.

When asked about India's bowling combination's balance, Morkel expressed satisfaction, stating, "In terms of balance, we’re quite pleased. However, as a bowling unit, finding the right gear we need for Test matches is vital."

"We've discussed extensively how to approach playing against England. So far, our preparations are on the right track. On match day, execution is key when it comes to the ball," he concluded.

Morkel also shared his admiration for Jasprit Bumrah's rhythm and intensity during practice sessions, but noted that management would take a careful approach regarding his workload throughout the summer. Prior to the team's departure for England, head coach Gautam Gambhir indicated that Bumrah would not participate in all five Test matches to manage his workload effectively.

"He understands how to prepare himself; I was truly impressed by his energy on the ball over the past three days. It's exciting to see. I'm glad his body is in good condition right now," he added.

"We'll manage him wisely, as he is a key player for us. From the first three net sessions, there's a lot to be enthusiastic about, especially watching him bowl with the Dukes ball," he remarked.

Morkel emphasized the need for India's bowlers to start strong against England’s aggressive batting lineup, which tends to exploit any weaknesses. "It’s one thing to assess a net session, but for our players to adapt to bowling 90 overs in the field will require time," he stated.

"We must recognize this and exhibit patience. We need to accelerate our adaptation because that will be a significant challenge. With the style of cricket England plays, we have to be at our best. We can't afford to ease into the series," he cautioned.

"One thing that has impressed me over the past two days of practice is how the players have stepped up, taken ownership, and acknowledged the challenges of this tour. It’s gratifying as coaches to witness this leadership and responsibility at practice," Morkel concluded.