India, Sept. 21 -- Hardik Pandya is a priceless member of the Indian team, and the whole combination goes awry when he is out injured. The same can be seen currently, as the all-rounder hasn't played any competitive cricket since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, having been bogged down by injuries. If everything goes to plan, he will make his much-anticipated return in the one-day series against Australia A for India A. In the meantime, the current team management has identified Nitish Kumar Reddy to do the same role as Hardik, and the fast-bowling all-rounder is slowly and steadily coming into his own.

In the recent three-match series against Afghanistan, Reddy scalped six wickets, registering a three-wicket haul in both the second...