Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Nitish Kumar Reddy should have featured from the very first match of the ODI series against New Zealand, which concluded on Sunday, January 18. Impressed by Reddy’s all-round display in the third ODI, Pathan has urged the Indian team management to persist with the young all-rounder even if he goes through a lean patch.
Nitish Reddy was drafted into the XI as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in the second ODI at Rajkot, but his role in that game was limited. In the series decider, however, the seam-bowling all-rounder was handed greater responsibility. While he went wicketless in his eight overs, Reddy made a significant impact with the bat, scoring a composed 53 and adding a crucial 88-run partnership with Virat Kohli as India chased a stiff target of 338.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Pathan described Reddy as one of the major positives for India despite the series loss. The former all-rounder also highlighted the 22-year-old’s bowling pace, noting that he touched speeds of 135 kph, and backed him as a potential long-term backup for Hardik Pandya.
“Nitish Kumar Reddy was a positive. He scored a fifty with the bat and played in place of Washington Sundar in Rajkot. I felt he should have played from the first game,” Pathan said. “The way he batted showed he has the ability to hit big shots and rotate the strike. He was involved in good partnerships in both games and can clear the ropes with ease, whether playing the pull shot or hitting straight. He also touched speeds of 135 while bowling, which shows he has the potential to be Hardik Pandya’s backup. Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a quality all-rounder.”
Hardik Pandya, India’s first-choice seam-bowling all-rounder in white-ball cricket, has not featured in an ODI since the Champions Trophy 2025 final. However, reports suggest that he is set to refocus on 50-over cricket following the T20 World Cup.
Pathan also praised Harshit Rana, calling his all-round contributions another positive for India in the series. The former India international highlighted Rana’s batting efforts in the first and third ODIs, particularly his partnerships with Virat Kohli.
“The way Harshit Rana has batted – he scored 29 in the first game and helped India add 99 runs with Virat Kohli. He played the big shots well and made Devon Conway his bunny, getting him out in all three matches,” Pathan observed. “But he must improve his bowling against right-handers. Statistically, he averages 15.7 against left-handers but 34.6 against right-handers.”
India and New Zealand will now shift focus to the five-match T20I series, which gets underway on Wednesday, January 21.
Re write for news Tittle “He should have played from the first game” – Irfan Pathan’s massive claim on Team India star after IND vs NZ 2026 3rd ODI
“He should have played from the first game” — Irfan Pathan backs Nitish Kumar Reddy after IND vs NZ 3rd ODI 2026
