Why Nitish Kumar Reddy is Not Playing in 2nd ODI vs West Indies? Here's His Replacement

India will look to build on their winning start when they take on West Indies in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, September 30. The hosts currently lead the series 1-0 after securing a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the opening match and will have a chance to clinch the series with another win today.

India have won the toss and opted to bowl first against West Indies in the 2nd ODI. The hosts have also made a change in their playing combination, with Jammu Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi in line to make his ODI debut. As part of the reshuffle, Nitish Reddy dropped from the Guwahati clash to make way for the playing XI.

The decision to leave out Nitish Reddy comes after he featured in the first ODI and returned figures of 1/45 in five overs. With India looking to test different combinations ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, it appears the team management is using the second game to give an opportunity to a promising pacer in the form of Auqib Nabi.

Why Nitish Reddy Not Playing Today in IND vs WI 2nd ODI?

Nitish Kumar Reddy has been left out of India’s playing XI for the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati, with the team deciding to hand Auqib Nabi his international debut and include him in the side as Nitish Reddy replacement. Nitish featured in the opening game of the series and bowled five overs, finishing with figures of 1/45.

The decision to drop Nitish also opens the door for Auqib Nabi to make his ODI debut. The Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder earned his place in the squad after putting together impressive performances in domestic cricket. Nabi has established himself among the best bowlers in India at the domestic level, as a useful pace-bowling option and also adds depth with the bat. His inclusion allows the management to assess him at the international level.

Nitish was included in the ODI squad as an all-round option in the absence of Hardik Pandya. He was expected to provide India with an additional seam-bowling option while also strengthening the lower order. However, after featuring in the first ODI, he has been left out for the Guwahati clash as the team management makes a tactical adjustment. India enter the second ODI with a 1-0 lead after comfortably winning the series opener, giving them some room to experiment with their combination.