EXPLAINED: Why Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy Have Been Dropped From India Playing XI For 1st Test Vs SA

EXPLAINED: Why Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy Have Been Dropped From India Playing XI For 1st Test Vs SA

Photo : AP

India are currently taking on South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This is an important game for India in their quest to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 final. In this match India have made some pretty big changes in their playing XI from th e last time they played a red-ball game against the West Indies. The two players who have been dropped from the playing XI are Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

India have gone ahead to include all four of their spinners in the playing XI – Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav – with Shubman Gill confirming that it would be a spin-friendly track in Kolkata. Hence, to include all four of these, they had to make some changes in the batting order.

Dhruv Jurel has proved himself undroppable after his recent golden form in both international and first class cricket. Hence, he had to be there in the playing XI, with even assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirming beforehand that he would be there. Hence, Sai Sudharsan, who has not been in great form ever since his debut has been dropped to accomodate the extra spin-bowling all-rounder in Axar Patel.

Nitish Reddy Released From India Squad, Rishabh Pant Returns

On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy was excluded from the playing XI to accomodate a returning Rishabh Pant in the playing XI.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has been released from the India squad for the first Test against South Africa. Reddy will now take part in three unofficial one-dayers between India A and South Africa A from 13th to 19th November at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, and will return to the squad for the second Test.

“All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been released from India’s squad for the first Test against South Africa. Nitish will join the India A squad for the One-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot. The three One-dayers between India A and South Africa A will take place from 13th to 19th November at the Niranjan Shah Stadium,” read a statement from the BCCI.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj