India’s cricket team is getting ready for the second Test clash with the West Indies at the Arun Jaitely Stadium, and the assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, wants the squad to stay sharp and flexible.
“Lucky for us we have players who can bat anywhere from No. 5 to No. 8,” he told reporters. “Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel all bring that sort of all‑round skill.”
This versatility, he explained, creates balance and keeps competition alive in the middle order. It also means that when the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy returns, he can slot right in at number 8 and give everyone a chance to prove themselves.
Nitish had his debut at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the first Test but didn’t get to bat, as Shubman Gill’s side declared before his turn. He bowled four overs in the first innings, 0 for 16, but didn’t bowl again.
That first Test was a strong start for India, but the coach sees room for growth. “Someone who can bat anywhere from 5 to 8 is valuable,” he said. “It sends a message to the squad that versatility matters, not just the exact spot.”
Looking back at the 2025 Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, Nitish missed the opening match in Leeds, yet earned a spot for the last two Tests. He had a quiet second Test, hitting only two runs and bowling without a wicket in a 336‑run victory. In the third Test, he surprised everyone by snapping up wickets of England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in the same over, then taking Crawley again in the second innings. With the bat, he added 30 and 13 runs, but India lost a close match at Lord’s by 22 runs.
Ten Doeschate stresses that scoring big runs is a priority, no matter the batting position. “A century is always special,” he said. “It matters whether you’re at No. 1 or No. 8, or against any team. We aim to respect our position while keeping the pressure off.”
The assistant coach is clear that India’s “blueprint” is to score big innings—one or two until the end—whether they’re batting in the home series, the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy, or against England and South Africa. “Scoring big runs feels good,” he added, “and that pride will drive us in the upcoming Test.”
With the match at Arun Jaitely Stadium coming up, the India squad will focus on depth, flexibility, and the power of a big score in Test cricket.
Source: aninews
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