Birmingham – Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy had a brief and disappointing return to the Test side in the second match against England at Edgbaston on July 2, 2025.
Batting at number six, Reddy managed just 1 run off 6 balls before being dismissed by English seamer Chris Woakes. Woakes bowled a sharp in-swinger that moved back into the right-hander. Reddy chose to leave the ball but misjudged its movement, resulting in his stumps being shattered. The unusual dismissal drew attention for its rarity and timing, marking a crucial turning point in the match.
Reddy was recalled to the playing XI as a replacement for Shardul Thakur, who was dropped following an underwhelming performance in the first Test. After a strong run earlier this year, including a memorable century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, expectations were high for Reddy to make a positive impact.
However, the challenging conditions at Edgbaston favored seamers like Woakes, who bowled with excellent control and movement. Woakes exploited the swing and seam, making batting difficult for the Indian lineup. Reddy appeared out of rhythm and struggled to cope with the probing deliveries.
India’s innings had a shaky start, with KL Rahul falling cheaply for 2 runs off 26 balls. Middle-order batsmen Karun Nair and Yashasvi Jaiswal worked to stabilize the innings with scores of 31 off 50 balls and other valuable contributions. Despite their efforts, early wickets put pressure on the team.
While Reddy’s return did not go as planned, his all-round skills remain vital for India. Selectors continue to back him as he aims to bounce back in the upcoming Tests.
Key Match Stats:
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: 1 run off 6 balls; dismissed by Chris Woakes
- Chris Woakes: 2 wickets for 59 runs in 21 overs (Day 1)
- KL Rahul: 2 runs off 26 ball
- Karun Nair: 31 runs off 50 balls (5 fours)
- India’s Day 1 total: 310 for 5 wickets (Shubman Gill unbeaten on 114*)
For more on Nitish Kumar Reddy and the latest India Test team updates, read about India resting Bumrah and giving Akash Deep his Test debut here.
