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Why is Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing for India agianst West Indies in 5th T20I?

India’s young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss the fifth T20 International against West Indies after being ruled out due to illness. The player, who had featured in the third and fourth T20Is of the series, was unable to take the field for the decider in Bengaluru.

His absence leaves a notable gap in India’s lineup, particularly after his T20I debut in 2024, where he has since taken 10 wickets and scored a career-high of 74 in the format across nine matches.

Shivam Dube, who had earlier featured in the opening two T20Is of the series, will replace Reddy in the 11th-hour change.

The match, originally scheduled for October 17, 2026, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, was reduced to nine overs per side due to rain. West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for a shortened contest.

However, the game was abandoned after just 46 balls were bowled, with incessant rain disrupting play entirely.

The abandonment of the fifth T20I means the series between India and West Indies has concluded in a 2-2 tie, with no result declared for the final match.

The series had been closely contested, with both teams trading wins in the earlier four matches. India’s bowling unit had relied on Reddy’s all-round abilities, while his batting had provided crucial runs in pressure situations.

This report also draws on coverage from CricketAddictor, Hindustan Times, ESPN Cricinfo.

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