India bowling coach Morne Morkel has earmarked all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as one of the players 'to keep an eye on' in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts Friday (Nov 22). India are thin on experience in pace department this time and Morkel thinks Reddy could bridge the gap.

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"[Reddy] is one of the young guys that we've mentioned, he's got that sort of batting, all-round ability. He'll be a guy that can sort of hold that one end up first. He hits the bat a little bit harder than you think. So on these sort of conditions where there might be a little bit of seam movement up front, especially the first couple of days. He'll be a very accurate wicket-to-wicket style of bowler. It's a lovely opportunity for him to hold that allrounder spot," said Morkel while talking to reporters ahead of the series opener.

"Any team in the world always wanted the allrounder to take that load off your fast bowlers, just to give them an extra bit of breathing time. So how we use him, how Jasprit is going to use him, with maybe the spinner, to give himself, whoever's going to be the other quicks, time to catch their breath a little bit is going to be important. He's a guy that is a player you can keep your eye on in this series," he added.

India's pace attack is a bit inexperienced this time with only Jasprit Bumrah being an experienced campaigner. Apart from Bumrah, India have Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana in the pace department.&nbsp;

Mohammed Shami, one of India's premium pacers, has not been included in the squad owing to match fitness.

After Perth, India play the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has earmarked all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as one of the players 'to keep an eye on' in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts Friday (Nov 22).

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has earmarked all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as one of the players 'to keep an eye on' in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts Friday (Nov 22). India are thin on experience in pace department this time and Morkel thinks Reddy could bridge the gap. Also Read: 'At our best when...,' Marnus Labuschagne reveals Aussie strategy against India pacers "[Reddy] is one of the young guys that we've mentioned, he's got that sort of batting, all-round ability. He'll be a guy that can sort of hold that one end up first. He hits the bat a little bit harder than you think. So on these sort of conditions where there might be a little bit of seam movement up front, especially the first couple of days. He'll be a very accurate wicket-to-wicket style of bowler. It's a lovely opportunity for him to hold that allrounder spot," said Morkel while talking to reporters ahead of the series opener. "Any team in the world always wanted the allrounder to take that load off your fast bowlers, just to give them an extra bit of breathing time. So how we use him, how Jasprit is going to use him, with maybe the spinner, to give himself, whoever's going to be the other quicks, time to catch their breath a little bit is going to be important. He's a guy that is a player you can keep your eye on in this series," he added. India's pace attack is a bit inexperienced this time with only Jasprit Bumrah being an experienced campaigner. Apart from Bumrah, India have Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana in the pace department. Mohammed Shami, one of India's premium pacers, has not been included in the squad owing to match fitness. After Perth, India play the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.

BGT 2024-25: Bowling coach Morne Morkel hoping for Nitish Reddy to take 'load off' India pacers

India skipper Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia which begins on November 22 in Perth. The development was confirmed by cricket news website ESPNCricinfo just days before the tour begins.

Rohit had informed the Board on Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his potential unavailability for first Test ahead of the tour because of his second child's birth. With his child being born a couple days ago, there was a possibility that Rohit may play in Perth.

The skipper, however, has informed the BCCI that he'll be available for the two-day practice game before the second Test, said the report.

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Rohit's absence is an added worry&nbsp;for India after the unavailability of Shubman Gill due to injury. With both Rohit and Gill out, KL Rahul could open the innings for India with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

India could also hand a debut to Nitish Kumar Reddy who has been included in the squad as a medium-pace all-rounder. The decision to play Reddy might be based on the report that Perth pitch will be assisting pacers with bounce.

With Reddy in playing XI, it could be a three-way tie between Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin for the sole spinner's slot.

The pacers are all in all set with Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj getting a go ahead. Bumrah, who is the vice-captain, will also be leading the side.

Among the batters, Dhruv Jurel and Abhimanyu Eswaran could be vying for a spot at number six assuming Sarfaraz Khan takes the number 3 position after Rahul and Jaiswal open the innings, and Virat Kohli comes at number 4, followed by Rishabh Pant at 5.

After Perth, India play the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.&nbsp;

India skipper Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia which begins on November 22 in Perth. The development was confirmed by cricket news website ESPNCricinfo just days before the tour begins.

India skipper Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia which begins on November 22 in Perth. The development was confirmed by cricket news website ESPNCricinfo just days before the tour begins. Rohit had informed the Board on Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his potential unavailability for first Test ahead of the tour because of his second child's birth. With his child being born a couple days ago, there was a possibility that Rohit may play in Perth. The skipper, however, has informed the BCCI that he'll be available for the two-day practice game before the second Test, said the report. Also Read: 'He sold them...,' Former Australia skipper Tim Paine on Gambhir vs Shastri as India coach Rohit's absence is an added worry for India after the unavailability of Shubman Gill due to injury. With both Rohit and Gill out, KL Rahul could open the innings for India with Yashasvi Jaiswal. India could also hand a debut to Nitish Kumar Reddy who has been included in the squad as a medium-pace all-rounder. The decision to play Reddy might be based on the report that Perth pitch will be assisting pacers with bounce. With Reddy in playing XI, it could be a three-way tie between Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin for the sole spinner's slot. The pacers are all in all set with Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj getting a go ahead. Bumrah, who is the vice-captain, will also be leading the side. Among the batters, Dhruv Jurel and Abhimanyu Eswaran could be vying for a spot at number six assuming Sarfaraz Khan takes the number 3 position after Rahul and Jaiswal open the innings, and Virat Kohli comes at number 4, followed by Rishabh Pant at 5. After Perth, India play the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.

BGT 2024-25: India skipper Rohit Sharma to miss first Test, Nitish Kumar Reddy in line for debut

Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the India team for the Australia series raised eyebrows, while Mohammed Shami’s absence worried the fans. Late on Friday night (Oct 25), the BCCI announced a jumbo 18-man squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series starting November 22 in Perth. The selectors made shocking calls with the inclusions of white-ball prospects Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Per a PTI report, a source close to the BCCI confirmed that Harshit Rana’s inclusion was head coach Gautam Gambhir’s call, who mentored the pacer at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL.

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“Harshit Rana has been completely Gautam Gambhir's choice. He has been pushing his case for the longest time since the start of the Sri Lanka tour. He was also kept as a reserve bowler. Since he is younger and quicker than both Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar, he has pipped them to the final squad,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Meanwhile, speaking on Nitish Reddy’s maiden Test call-up, the source said, “Nitish is a work in progress, but if India are to bring in balance, they need their fourth seamer to be an all-rounder. Hence, Nitish is a desperate choice going by his IPL and Bangladesh series performance.”&nbsp;

India also picked Abhimanyu Easwaran as the backup opener and named Washington Sundar as the spare spin-bowling all-rounder, ahead of Shardul Thakur, who starred the last time Down Under.&nbsp;

Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the heavy pace, which includes Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Rana and returning Prasidh Krishna. Despite talks of India including Mayank Yadav for the Australia Tests, the BCCI decided against rushing him into the Test side.&nbsp;

Besides, the fans were left wondering about Mohammed Shami, who failed to make the cut despite confirming that he is 100% pain-free and raring to go for the marquee series. The ace India seamer also posted a video of him bowling at full throttle in the nets.

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Per a report in the Indian Express, Shami will play two Ranji Trophy games for Bengal starting November 6 – one against Karnataka and the other against Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

Although the BCCI named three reserve pacers Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed, Shami’s inclusion in the Test side will come down to his fitness, an injury to anyone on that team and the leadership group’s decision.

<h2>Sundar over Ashwin in Australia</h2>

In another turn of event, the PTI report says that Sundar, who picked seven wickets against New Zealand in the first innings in Pune, leads veteran off-spinner and one of India’s heroes the last time, Ravichandran Ashwin, in the pecking order should India decide to play two spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja being the automatic selection.&nbsp;

<h3>Here is India’s 18-man squad for Australia Tests –</h3>

Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar

Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed

(With inputs from agencies)

Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the India team for the Australia series raised eyebrows, while Mohammed Shami’s absence worried the fans. Late on Friday night (Oct 25), the BCCI announced a jumbo 18-man squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series starting November 22 in Perth.

Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the India team for the Australia series raised eyebrows, while Mohammed Shami’s absence worried the fans. Late on Friday night (Oct 25), the BCCI announced a jumbo 18-man squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series starting November 22 in Perth. The selectors made shocking calls with the inclusions of white-ball prospects Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Per a PTI report, a source close to the BCCI confirmed that Harshit Rana’s inclusion was head coach Gautam Gambhir’s call, who mentored the pacer at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. ALSO READ: Abhimanyu Easwaran included in Rohit Sharma-led India squad for Aussie tour; Vijay Kumar in for SA T20 series “Harshit Rana has been completely Gautam Gambhir's choice. He has been pushing his case for the longest time since the start of the Sri Lanka tour. He was also kept as a reserve bowler. Since he is younger and quicker than both Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar, he has pipped them to the final squad,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Meanwhile, speaking on Nitish Reddy’s maiden Test call-up, the source said, “Nitish is a work in progress, but if India are to bring in balance, they need their fourth seamer to be an all-rounder. Hence, Nitish is a desperate choice going by his IPL and Bangladesh series performance.” India also picked Abhimanyu Easwaran as the backup opener and named Washington Sundar as the spare spin-bowling all-rounder, ahead of Shardul Thakur, who starred the last time Down Under. Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the heavy pace, which includes Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Rana and returning Prasidh Krishna. Despite talks of India including Mayank Yadav for the Australia Tests, the BCCI decided against rushing him into the Test side. Besides, the fans were left wondering about Mohammed Shami, who failed to make the cut despite confirming that he is 100% pain-free and raring to go for the marquee series. The ace India seamer also posted a video of him bowling at full throttle in the nets. pic.twitter.com/nNHEPjlcF1 — 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) October 25, 2024 × Per a report in the Indian Express, Shami will play two Ranji Trophy games for Bengal starting November 6 – one against Karnataka and the other against Madhya Pradesh. Although the BCCI named three reserve pacers Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed, Shami’s inclusion in the Test side will come down to his fitness, an injury to anyone on that team and the leadership group’s decision. Sundar over Ashwin in Australia In another turn of event, the PTI report says that Sundar, who picked seven wickets against New Zealand in the first innings in Pune, leads veteran off-spinner and one of India’s heroes the last time, Ravichandran Ashwin, in the pecking order should India decide to play two spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja being the automatic selection. Here is India’s 18-man squad for Australia Tests – Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed (With inputs from agencies)

‘Harshit Rana's selection for BGT is completely Gambhir’s choice’ – BCCI source ahead of Australia Tests

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are likely to be included in the Indian team for the upcoming Australia tour with less than a month to go for the high-profile series. According to reports, Nitish and Shardul are seam bowling all-round options in the side as Hardik Pandya is out of favour in the red-ball format. Interestingly, Nitish only made his debut for India in the T20I format&nbsp;earlier this month while Shardul has not played for India since the 2023 Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion.

<h2>Shardul, Nitish in contention for BGT?</h2>

According to reports, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar is considering picking a bowling all-rounder in the side as they look to challenge Australia on their turf. Shardul has played for India in high-profile away tours including England, West Indies and South Africa. He has played in 11 Test matches for India with only being played on Indian soil. During this period he has scalped 31 wickets and scored 331 runs and has been a productive asset for Rohit Sharma’s side.

On the other hand, Nitish has been in great form in the last few months and is one of the players on SunRisers Hyderabad's (SRH) retention list. He played a key role in SRH’s run to the final of the IPL 2024 before they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ban-vs-sa-bangladesh-battle-at-101-3-as-south-africa-threaten-innings-defeat-769827">BAN vs SA: Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat</a>

The Indian team has been victorious in the last two visits to Australia and also won the Boxing Day Test in 2020. Rohit Sharma’s men will look to repeat the heroics as they look to take a giant step towards the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s.

<h2>Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India tour of Australia) Schedule</h2>

1st Test: 22nd November to 26th November, Perth

2nd Test: 6th December to 10th December, Adelaide

3rd Test: 14th December to 18th December, Brisbane

4th Test: 26th December to 30th December, Melbourne

5th Test: 3rd January to 7th January, Sydney

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are likely to be included in the Indian team for the upcoming Australia tour with less than a month to go for the high-profile series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are likely to be included in the Indian team for the upcoming Australia tour with less than a month to go for the high-profile series. According to reports, Nitish and Shardul are seam bowling all-round options in the side as Hardik Pandya is out of favour in the red-ball format. Interestingly, Nitish only made his debut for India in the T20I format earlier this month while Shardul has not played for India since the 2023 Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion. Shardul, Nitish in contention for BGT? According to reports, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar is considering picking a bowling all-rounder in the side as they look to challenge Australia on their turf. Shardul has played for India in high-profile away tours including England, West Indies and South Africa. He has played in 11 Test matches for India with only being played on Indian soil. During this period he has scalped 31 wickets and scored 331 runs and has been a productive asset for Rohit Sharma’s side. On the other hand, Nitish has been in great form in the last few months and is one of the players on SunRisers Hyderabad's (SRH) retention list. He played a key role in SRH’s run to the final of the IPL 2024 before they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). ALSO READ | BAN vs SA: Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat The Indian team has been victorious in the last two visits to Australia and also won the Boxing Day Test in 2020. Rohit Sharma’s men will look to repeat the heroics as they look to take a giant step towards the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India tour of Australia) Schedule 1st Test: 22nd November to 26th November, Perth 2nd Test: 6th December to 10th December, Adelaide 3rd Test: 14th December to 18th December, Brisbane 4th Test: 26th December to 30th December, Melbourne 5th Test: 3rd January to 7th January, Sydney

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur in contention for Team India - Report