"They don't say it openly" - Mohammad Kaif's massive claim on Nitish Kumar Reddy being released from India squad ahead of IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former batter Mohammad Kaif made a massive claim on Nitish Kumar Reddy's release from India's squad before the first Test against South Africa. India are set to host the Proteas for a two-match series beginning November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Just two days before the start, Nitish Kumar Reddy was released from the squad for the first Test. He has been added to India A's squad for the one-day series involving South Africa A. The all-rounder will be seen playing in these matches between November 13 and 19. He is expected to return to the senior squad for the next Test beginning November 22. (as reported by Cricbuzz)

Mohammad Kaif revealed that any injured player would now have to play some other form of cricket to prove their fitness and return to the squad. The former batter added that these things are not said out in the open, which is why Nitish had been released and asked to play for India A.

"They don’t say it openly, but now whenever a player gets injured, they have to prove their fitness by playing some kind of match before they can get back into the squad. That’s the kind of talk happening behind the scenes. Why is Mohammad Shami playing Ranji Trophy? Because there are doubts about whether he’s fully fit. We only get partial reports, we don’t really know when he’s fit or not. That’s why Shami keeps playing Ranji again and again. So, any player making a comeback and whose fitness is in question, like Reddy recently, has to do the same," he said on his YouTube channel.

The all-rounder bowled just four overs in the entire first Test against the West Indies during the recent series. He did not bowl a single over in the second Test.

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Mohammad Kaif reckons Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel will both play with Nitish out

With Nitish Kumar Reddy out for the first Test, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Rishabh Pant would come in for the all-rounder. Pant is set to make his comeback after the injury in England. While Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the team against the West Indies, there was a selection conundrum with Pant's return.

However, Nitish Kumar Reddy's release will allow India to play both Pant and Jurel. Mohammad Kaif reflected that Pant coming in for Nitish would be the only change in the playing 11 to face South Africa in the opening Test.

"Jurel played in England, he played against the West Indies and scored as well. Now when Pant is back and Reddy has gone, Reddy was there in the 11 in the last Test. He did not even bowl in the Test in Delhi. It is a straight forward swap that Pant will come for Reddy and Jurel will stay. I think Kuldeep will also have a big role against South Africa and you need to play him. I think the only change from the last Test will be Reddy goes out and Pant comes in," he said.

Mohammad Kaif's India 11 for IND vs SA 2025 1st Test - Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.

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Edited by Rishab Vm