Pathan Backs Young All-Rounder Amid Cricket Struggles

Irfan Pathan backs Nitish Kumar Reddy and calls for patience, comparing him to Hardik Pandya. He also suggests Rishabh Pant deserves more ODI chances.

Irfan Pathan, a former India all-rounder, has called for patience with young cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is currently experiencing an inconsistent phase in his white-ball international career. Reddy has been included in the upcoming ODI series squad against New Zealand, with Hardik Pandya being rested, signaling a long-term vision towards the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Pathan emphasized the scarcity of quality seam-bowling all-rounders in India, drawing parallels between Reddy's situation and Hardik Pandya's early career. He stated that regular opportunities are crucial for potential to translate into consistent performances. Reddy has shown promise in domestic cricket, picking up wickets regularly and scoring a fifty.

Furthermore, Pathan highlighted that Rishabh Pant, despite his domestic runs, has been starved of opportunities in ODIs since November 2022. He suggested the New Zealand series as an ideal platform to reintegrate Pant, allowing him to prove his worth despite competition from other wicket-keepers.

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