India’s fast-bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has suffered a setback in his recovery from a quadriceps injury after developing neck spasms that have affected his mobility, the BCCI confirmed on Wednesday.
Reddy, 22, had injured his left quadriceps during the second ODI against Australia on October 23 and was subsequently ruled out of the final ODI in Sydney, which India won by nine wickets to reduce the series margin to 2-1. His latest issue has further delayed his return to competitive action.
The setback adds to India’s allrounder concerns, as Hardik Pandya also remains unavailable while recovering from a quadriceps injury. The absence of both key seam-bowling allrounders has left India slightly unbalanced in the shorter formats.
However, the team has received some relief with Shivam Dube declared fully fit. Dube featured in the first T20I against Australia in Canberra after missing the opening round of the Ranji Trophy due to back stiffness.
Injuries have troubled Reddy throughout the year. In July, he was ruled out of the fourth and fifth Tests in England due to a knee injury sustained during a gym session. Now, after returning to the national setup for the white-ball series in Australia, he has once again been sidelined by fitness issues.
Since making his international debut in November 2024 during the Perth Test, Reddy has represented India in 15 matches across formats, showing flashes of potential as a pace-bowling allrounder.
In the first T20I in Canberra, India went with a spin-heavy attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel, following the successful formula from their Asia Cup triumph in September. Reddy’s absence means India may continue relying on Dube as the only pace-bowling allrounder for the remainder of the series.