Mohit Sharma, former India pacer, has advised Indian team management to use Nitish Kumar Reddy according to his own strengths rather than comparing him to Hardik Pandya.
The comments came after Nitish impressed with the ball during India's recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The all-rounder took six wickets, including three-wicket hauls in the second and third matches.
Mohit Sharma wants comparisons to stop
Nitish is viewed as a potential backup for Hardik Pandya because both are pace-bowling all-rounders. However, Mohit believes that the comparison creates unrealistic expectations.
Mohit said Nitish cannot currently match Pandya and that expecting him to perform exactly like the senior all-rounder would be unfair.
Nitish has a different batting style and should be judged on what he can bring to the team, Mohit said.
Nitish has his own batting style
Mohit noted that Nitish is not necessarily a player who will attack from the first delivery.
Instead, he can take some time to settle before playing aggressive shots. The reason is because his role has to be different from Pandya’s.
Mohit said the team should keep expectations realistic and use Nitish according to his talent.
The former pacer also said that an all-rounder does not always have to perform exactly like an established star to be of value to the team.
Strong bowling performance against Afghanistan
Nitish's bowling performances have given India another reason to trust him.
On the return from injury he seemed to lose his rhythm but then improved as the Afghanistan series progressed. He took 3/24 in the second T20I and 3/25 in the third T20I, finishing the series with six wickets.
His pace and all-round ability to bowl well and contribute useful batting makes him an important option for India’s white-ball plans.
Hardik Pandya still has a different role
Hardik is an established match-winning all-rounder for India. His ability with the bat as well as the ball helps make him a key part of India's limited overs.
However, Nitish doesn’t have to become another Hardik.
The bigger opportunity for India is to develop Nitish into the player he can become rather than constantly measuring him against an established star.
Ajinkya Rahane also praises Nitish
Ajinkya Rahane, former India batter, also praised Nitish's bowling after the Afghanistan series.
Rahane discussed his ability to take wickets with the new ball and he also said he can bowl with the old ball. That makes it another flexible bowling option for captains.
Nitish's recent performances have therefore strengthened his case as a useful all-round option for India.
What is next for Nitish?
Nitish was then pulled out of India's Asian Games team and added to the ODI squad for the upcoming West Indies series, according to Hindustan Times.
The next step of his development will be consistency and staying fit.
Instead of asking whether Nitish can replace Hardik Pandya, India's management might benefit from identifying the role Nitish can perform best.
That is what is the main point in Mohit Sharma’s words: Nitish Kumar Reddy should be allowed to develop his own identity as an international all-rounder.
