With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy delicately poised at 1-1, both India and Australia are carefully evaluating their team compositions ahead of the crucial fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While Australia has already made moves by adding Sam Konstas and Jhye Richardson to their squad, According to OneCricket, India is also contemplating a strategic change – potentially replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy with Washington Sundar.
Reasons to for NKR’s omission
The case for Sundar’s inclusion centers around three key aspects. Firstly, the MCG pitch, which has evolved from its pace-friendly reputation to now offering significant assistance to spinners, especially in the latter stages of matches. With Ravindra Jadeja currently operating as the lone spinner, Sundar’s off-spin could provide crucial variety to India’s bowling arsenal. His ability to maintain economy while picking up timely wickets could prove valuable in controlling the middle overs.
Secondly, Sundar’s off-spin holds particular significance against Australia’s left-handed batsmen. Given Travis Head’s impactful performances in the series and the presence of Usman Khawaja, Sundar’s natural angle and variations could pose specific challenges to the left-handers. His proven track record of breaking partnerships adds another tactical dimension to India’s bowling plans.
Lastly, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has shown promise, Sundar’s proven all-round capabilities might be more suited to the conditions. His ability to contribute meaningfully with both bat and ball, as demonstrated during the warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI, offers India the dual advantage of strengthening their lower-middle order while adding to their spin bowling resources. On a surface that’s expected to assist spinners, this versatility could be particularly valuable in maintaining team balance.
