Dodda Ganesh doesn’t want India to play Nitish Kumar Reddy in the first Test against Australia as he lacks experience. The 21-year-old is likely to make his debut in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 in Perth.

The all-rounder is a part of the the five-match series, and he was preferred over Shardul Thakur. Nitish was sensational for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and also impressed in the T20I series against Bangladesh.

In 23 first-class matches, he has amassed 779 runs at an average of 21.05. With the ball, he has taken 56 batters at an average of 26.98. In the match for India A against Australia A, he scored 38 runs and took one wicket.

“Either pick a genuine bowler, or go with a genuine batter if you feel the batting needs to be bolstered. This fast-tracking of Nitish Reddy for Tests serves no purpose. He is still undercooked to be playing the longer format,” Dodda Ganesh posted on Twitter.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir had backed the all-rounder.

“He is talented, and I believe he will deliver for us. We have picked the best squad for the tour of Australia,” Gautam Gambhir said.