Nitish Reddy Over Ruturaj Gaikwad? Badrinath Questions India’s ODI Selection Logic

Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has openly questioned the Indian team management’s selection choices for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, expressing surprise over the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of in-form batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Speaking on his YouTube channel after the squad announcement, Badrinath said the decision exposed inconsistency in India’s selection logic, particularly when the team already has established all-rounders in the ODI setup. While most selections for the three-match series appeared predictable and balanced, he felt the Nitish-over-Gaikwad call stood out for the wrong reasons.

Badrinath pointed out that India already have experienced spin all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, raising questions over the need to include another all-rounder whose international record is still largely untested. According to him, the decision becomes even harder to justify when compared to Gaikwad’s recent performances.

“I genuinely don’t understand the logic here,” Badrinath said, adding that Nitish’s role in the squad remains unclear. He questioned how much value Nitish would realistically add, especially with India opting for a pace-heavy bowling combination in the series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection is believed to be linked to Hardik Pandya being rested for the New Zealand series. However, Badrinath argued that simply filling the “all-rounder slot” without assessing form and role clarity sets a worrying precedent. Nitish has featured in just two ODIs so far, scoring 27 runs and failing to pick up a wicket, and was not part of India’s recent ODI assignments.

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s omission has once again raised eyebrows. The right-handed batter scored a brilliant century in his last ODI appearance against South Africa, registering a fluent 105 off just 83 balls while batting at No. 4. Since then, Gaikwad has continued to score heavily in domestic cricket, strengthening his case as a dependable middle-order option.

Badrinath stressed that Gaikwad has repeatedly delivered whenever he has been given opportunities at the international level, yet continues to be overlooked. He described the situation as “unfair” and suggested that such selection calls could dent a player’s confidence despite strong performances.

With the ODI series against New Zealand approaching, the former India batter believes the debate is less about individual talent and more about clarity in selection philosophy. He added that while experimentation is necessary, it should not come at the cost of consistent performers who have earned their place through results.

As India continue to shape their white-ball core ahead of future global tournaments, Badrinath’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among fans and experts who are seeking transparency and consistency in team selection decisions.