India, Nov. 27 -- India head coach Gautam Gambhir faced heavy criticism after the humiliating 0-2 home whitewash against South Africa in Guwahati, with many accusing him of being "obsessed" with picking more all-rounders instead of proper specialists for the format. Much of that scrutiny fell on the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy, a player Gambhir had strongly backed before the Australia tour last year. But apart from his century at the MCG, Nitish has done little since to justify that faith.

The criticism only grew louder when Nitish was barely used as a bowler in his last three Tests at home. In the Ahmedabad match against the West Indies last month, he bowled just four wicketless overs in the first innings and wasn't used at all ther...