Less than a month is remaining for the much-awaited five-match Test series between Australia and India down under. Both the teams have started preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Talking about India, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur are reportedly in contention to travel to Australia for a five-match Test series starting next month. Reportedly, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar is looking for an fast-bowling allrounder option for the BGT 2024-25.
With Hardik Pandya being unavailable for the red-ball, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur will reportedly get a nod ahead of the much-awaited Test series. Notably, Shardul was a part of the Indian playing XI during the iconic Gabba Test win in 2021, where he scored a half-century in the first innings and also took 7 wickets in the match.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur in contention for BGT 2024-25
Shardul Thakur has played 11 matches in his Test career so far, taking 31 wickets with the ball and scoring 331 runs with the bat with four fifties. On the other hand, Nitish Kumar has also been in great form in the last few months. He could turn out to be a fierce batter in the middle-order and change the gears according to the situation. Along with that, Reddy can also play as an extra right-arm pacer and take crucial wickets.
Indian won the last two Test series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Now, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India will be looking to make a hat-trick of Test series wins down under. The first Test will be played in Perth from November 22 to 26, while the next three games are scheduled to take place in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
