With India 2-1 up against West Indies and one win from the series, the selection question ahead of the fourth T20I is whether Nitish Kumar Reddy gets the tougher role or the side falls back on experience.
India lead the five-match T20I series against West Indies 2-1 and can seal it in Hyderabad on Wednesday. ESPNcricinfo asks whether the team is ready to hand Nitish Kumar Reddy the hot seat, the tougher role in the XI, or whether it will lean on experience when the series is there to be won.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | 4th T20I, India v West Indies, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Wednesday 14 October 2026 |
| Series | Five-match T20I series, India lead 2-1 |
| Stakes | India seal the series with a win; West Indies must win to force a decider |
| Last match | 3rd T20I, Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, Sunday 11 October: India won by 14 runs after setting 223 |
| Reddy in Indore | 21 off 14 balls and 1/19 in 2 overs |
What Reddy did in Indore
Reddy came into the side in Indore, replacing Shivam Dube, and the series marks his return to the XI after missing earlier matches on ODI duty. He made 21 off 14 balls with the bat and took 1/19 in his two overs, a compact all-round contribution in a 14-run win.
Others who shaped the win
- Abhishek Sharma: 69 off 30 balls, with six fours and five sixes, to drive the total of 223.
- Arshdeep Singh: three wickets with the ball.
- Naman Dhir: 2/39, and he impressed with his off-spin.
The case from Pujara and Karthik
Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking on the JioHotstar show Game Plan, backed Reddy for another chance and a possible spot at No. 6. "I would want to see him get one more chance," he said.
Dinesh Karthik has also backed Reddy, saying his confidence is growing and that the management has handled his middle-overs deployment well.
The selection question
With India one win from the series, the choice in Hyderabad is whether to give Reddy the tougher role or fall back on experience. That is the question to settle before the toss on Wednesday.
The story comes from ESPNcricinfo, with match details and the views of Pujara and Karthik cross-checked against Sportskeeda and Sportswire Live. Read the full piece on ESPNcricinfo. ESPNcricinfo.
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