India should persist with him: Kumble backs Nitish Reddy's all-round potential
Reflecting on his Day 1 performance, Kumble backed the youngster to become a long-term asset for India.'I thought he did quite well in Australia — got a hundred with the bat and bowled decently, even if he didn't take many wickets. What you need from someone like him is to break partnerships and give the fast bowlers a breather while still maintaining control. He bowled nearly 14 overs in a spell — that shows fitness and control,' Kumble said on JioHotstar.Nitish had made headlines earlier during the Melbourne Test against Australia, where he defied the odds to score a gritty century from No. 8, his maiden ton in the format.'He's young, he's a capable batter with a century under his belt, and he's a sharp fielder. India should persist with him and avoid the temptation to chop and change,' Kumble added.At the end of Day 1, Nitish had bowled 14 overs, conceding just 46 runs — a tidy and disciplined performance. Despite his age, he's already showing signs of becoming a dependable all-rounder, potentially a successor to someone like Ravindra Jadeja in the long run.With steady improvements in his bowling, he is making a strong case to be retained for the remainder of the series. His showing already stands out when compared to Shardul Thakur's performance in the Leeds Test, and it could tilt the selection balance in his favour.Heading into Day 2, Nitish's focus will be on staying sharp in the field and ready to contribute with both ball and bat if called upon.- EndsMust Watch
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