Team India Faces Setback as Nitish Kumar Reddy Withdraws from T20I Series Against Ireland

Team India is grappling with the absence of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Ireland due to a quadriceps injury. In his place, Suryansh Shedge has been called up for his first national assignment. Shedge's recent performances with India A have been impressive, raising expectations for his potential debut. With both Reddy and Hardik Pandya sidelined, the team is looking to maintain balance as they prepare for the series starting June 26. Will Shedge make an impact in his debut? Read on to find out more.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 23, 2026, 19:55 IST

Nitish Kumar Reddy Ruled Out Due to Injury

As the T20I series against Ireland approaches, starting June 26, Team India has encountered a significant setback with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy being ruled out due to a left quadriceps injury. This injury was sustained during the recent ODI series against Afghanistan, which has now sidelined him for the UK white-ball tour.

Injury Details and Team Impact

Following the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai, Nitish reported discomfort in his left quadriceps. The BCCI medical team recommended a rehabilitation period, marking a considerable loss for the Men in Blue, who now lack a key seam-bowling option, especially with primary all-rounder Hardik Pandya also out due to conditioning issues.

Suryansh Shedge Steps In

With Nitish Kumar Reddy unavailable for the T20I series against Ireland and England, the BCCI selectors have brought in Suryansh Shedge as a direct replacement for the Hyderabad all-rounder for the UK tour.

Suryansh Shedge's National Call-Up

Suryansh Shedge, an all-rounder from Mumbai and Punjab Kings, has received his first national call-up to replace Nitish Kumar Reddy, who will miss the entire UK tour due to his injury. Suryansh recently played a crucial role in India A's ODI Tri-Nation series against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, contributing significantly to their trophy win.

Performance Highlights

In the series, Suryansh's standout performance was against Sri Lanka A, where he scored 72 runs off 66 balls and took a wicket. Just days after India A's victory over Sri Lanka A in the final, he was called up to the senior Indian team for the UK tour, especially since Hardik Pandya is also unavailable due to injury.

A Young and Dynamic Squad

Suryansh Shedge's addition brings a youthful energy to India's squad, which is led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The team also includes talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prince Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Shivam Dube, forming a vibrant touring party for the UK.

Potential Debut for Suryansh Shedge

The inclusion of Suryansh Shedge in the squad has ignited discussions about his potential debut in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland. The team management is expected to evaluate his form and role before finalizing the playing XI.

Suryansh's Skills and IPL Performance

Suryansh's dynamic skill set as a pace-bowling all-rounder and finisher makes him a strong candidate for the playing XI. In the recent ODI tri-series, he scored a total of 147 runs, including a fifty, with an average of 36.75 and a strike rate of 120.49 across five matches. Known for his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling, he also had a notable IPL 2026 season, scoring 158 runs at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 175.55 in seven matches.

Looking Ahead

With both Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy out, Suryansh Shedge is likely to be included in the playing XI as India aims to establish a balanced middle-to-lower order for the opening T20I against Ireland on June 26 in Belfast.