Emerging all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is now in the playing XI of India’s 'A' side, not the main Test team, that will face South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from Friday, November 14. The youngster had to travel all the way to Rajkot after being released from the Test squad at the last minute.

This late and sudden change continues Reddy’s confusing journey in international cricket, where his potential is met with mixed signals from the team management and sporadic opportunities. After a promising debut series in Australia, he was sidelined for India’s next Test in England, where the team brought back Shardul Thakur. One Test later, Reddy was back in the playing XI.

The confusing trend continued during the home Tests against the West Indies. Once again, his run stopped abruptly, and he did not get momentum as he was not part of the playing XI.

Here are three reasons why releasing Nitish Kumar Reddy from the squad ahead of IND vs SA 2025 1st Test is the wrong move.

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1. India Needs a Third Seam Bowling Option

Recently, India included Nitish Kumar Reddy for the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, even though the pitch offered very little help for seamers. He did not bowl a single over but played a striking cameo with the bat, justifying his selection.

Now, for the Eden Gardens Test, which promises help for seamers due to early winter conditions and a moving pitch, Reddy is being released from the squad. While Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj can make the most of the conditions, India need a third bowler to support them. Otherwise, the team has to bring in a spinner immediately after the pacers’ spell, reducing the pace impact.

Even recent matches at Eden Gardens suggest the need for a third pacer. In two early domestic games in the 2025-26 season, Bengal used four seamers, including Ishan Porel and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, who picked up 10 wickets together. They performed well after the new-ball pair, showing the value of having an extra seamer.

2. South Africa Uses Pace All-Rounders Effectively

South Africa has benefited by including pace bowling all-rounders in their team. On practical Indian pitches, they can use all-rounders like Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen to give both batting and bowling support.

India already trusts Reddy’s batting ability. He could have been included as the third seamer, giving the team more options. It is better to have him and not need him than to need him and not have him. Even if there is no clear spot in the top six, India could have made it work, similar to South Africa.

3. India Is Breaking Its Promise by Excluding Reddy

Pace bowling all-rounders are rare in home Tests, making Reddy’s inclusion in the West Indies series a positive surprise. He bowled only four overs, while Devdutt Padikkal, a pure batter, sat out, which raised questions.

After that Test, skipper Shubman Gill said the team wanted to groom players for overseas success, not just play them abroad. He said:

“He [Nitish Kumar Reddy] didn't really get to bowl in this match. We don't want players to only play matches overseas. That puts a lot of pressure on the players. We want to groom certain players that we think can help us win matches overseas because that's been a challenge for us.”

However, in the very next home Test, Reddy is not even in the squad, despite having much better conditions to play. If India uses the current combination against South Africa, it will be hard for Reddy to get back into the playing XI, making previous promises about his development meaningless.