The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi, starting Friday. The team wants to maintain its winning streak.

Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate stated on Wednesday that there will be no major changes to the playing XI. The key is that young player Nitish Kumar Reddy will get more opportunities.

The team management wants to groom him as a pace bowling all-rounder. Nitish’s role was minimal in the last Test, but now the focus is on his workload.

Ten Doeschate clearly stated that this is part of a mid-term strategy, especially for overseas tours.

Assistant Coach Confirms India’s Delhi Test Line-Up

He said in the press conference, “I would say we are unlikely to make changes in the combination. We have one objective, a medium-term objective, to develop a pace bowling all-rounder for India.”

The coach explained that such a position is very important on tours. Nitish didn’t get good experience last week, so he will get another chance. This will not disturb the team balance.

Ten Doeschate praised Nitish, saying, “We feel he is a fantastic seam bowling all-rounder.”

New opportunity for Nitish, focus on body challenge

Nitish’s batting was excellent on the Australia tour. He also scored a Test century at the MCG. The coaching staff is impressed. Ten Doeschate said that Nitish should get consistent playing time.

He said, “Nitish, I think they have shown everyone in Australia how good they are as a batter.”

The challenge is to keep the bowling sharp between overseas series. The team likes him very much. The spin department consists of Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel.

This creates good competition. Ten Doeschate said,

“Yes, I mean, we’re fortunate that Washi, Jaddu, and even Axar are the kind of players we think of, but from five to eight.”

Washi scored runs in the UK, Jadeja is in form. Nitish comes in lower after injury, so at number eight.

Team balance and future planning

Nitish took only one diving catch in the first Test. He dismissed Chanderpaul. Ten Doeschate stressed the need for versatility in the middle order.

He said, “The only disappointment from last week in the first Test was that Nitish didn’t get a chance to compete in any department.”

Players should bat from number five to eight. This will help them handle different situations. The coach concluded on a positive note, saying,

“We’re all disappointed they’re not playing six or seven, but it means their cricket is in a good space, so we need to keep that going.”

Nitish’s workload will be managed for the Delhi Test. The team is focused on long-term goals.

India’s probable playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj