"Thought it might do a little bit this morning" - Indian coach explains team combination for 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the hosts picked Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Guwahati Test because they felt the pitch might offer something for the pacers on the morning of Day 1. He termed the decision as the right one despite the fact that Reddy bowled only four overs in the day.

India made two changes to their playing XI for the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, November 22. Regular skipper Shubman Gill, who was ruled out due to a neck injury, was replaced by Sai Sudharsan. Also, Reddy replaced Axar Patel, despite the fact that the latter had done a decent job with bat and ball in the Kolkata Test.

Speaking at the press conference after Day 1 of the Guwahati Test, Ten Doeschate explained the thinking behind India's decision to pick Reddy over Axar. He said:

“I think the way we assessed the wicket. We thought it might do a little bit this morning. Obviously, if you play two seamers, you have to go to spin very early, and it’s difficult for the captain to juggle just two seamers. Obviously, if you go for an out-and-out seamer, you’re one batter less. “So on balance, we thought it was the best strategy to play the bowling all-rounder [Nitish], someone who we feel can get big runs as well. As it turned out, we didn’t feel that you needed any more seam than just the two today, but we still feel it’s the right balance with four days to go in the Test," the 45-year-old added.

Reddy registered figures of 0-21 from four overs on Day 1 of the Guwahati Test. He was used sparingly with the ball in the series against West Indies as well.

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"That’s why we’re picking him" - Ten Doeschate on Kuldeep's three-fer on Day 1 of 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test

While Reddy did not have a lot to do with the ball on Day 1 in Guwahati, wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav excelled, registering figures of 3-48 from 17 overs. Describing Kuldeep as a match-winner, Ten Doeschate went on to explain why he picks up a lot of wickets. The former Dutch cricketer commented:

“He picked up three wickets on that surface on day one. We know Kuldeep’s strike rate is phenomenal, he’s a wicket-taker and that’s why we’re picking him. I thought everyone bowled well, but the fact that he gets overspin, and with the red soil and a little more pace in the wicket, he was slightly more effective in the conditions. “Later on, the finger spinners are going to come into it. But in terms of strategy and how we wanted to set out the first day, it’s a real bonus for him to pick up three wickets and give us a foothold in the game,” Ten Doeschate went on to add.

Kuldeep picked up the key wickets of Ryan Rickelton (35), Tristan Stubbs (49) and Wiaan Mulder (13) on Day 1 of the second Test. At stumps, South Africa were 247-6, with Senuran Muthusamy batting on 25 and Kyle Verreynne on one.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert