AUS vs IND 2025: 'We will find out' - Morne Morkel keeps suspense around star all-rounder's return to playing XI in 4th T20I

Nitish Kumar Reddy has not represented India in the shortest format since the T20I series against England in January. He missed the first three games in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia due to a neck spasm.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel mentioned during the press conference ahead of the fourth T20I that the young all-rounder has completed all the expected tasks during the practice session, and a decision will be made after as assessment.

"He did all his work that was needed or expected of him in fielding, batting, and bowling. He ticked all of that, so we will find out now after assessment where he is at," Morkel said.

Reddy was drafted into the white-ball squads for the tour of Australia after Hardik Pandya sustained an injury during the Asia Cup in September. However, the Andhra cricketer suffered a left quadriceps injury during the second ODI in Adelaide. While his recovery from this injury setback was going on nicely, the neck spasms ahead of the first T20I in Canberra further delayed his return.

Reddy has played nine Tests, two ODIs, and four T20Is so far for the Men in Blue. In the four T20Is he has played, the 22-year-old has scored 90 runs, including a highest score of 74 against Bangladesh in Delhi. With the ball, he picked up three wickets at an average of 23.67 and an economy rate of 7.89.

The five-match series is intriguingly poised at 1-1 after the first three games. The first T20I in Canberra was washed out due to rain. However, Australia bagged a four-wicket win in the second game in Melbourne to go 1-0 ahead. India bounced back commendably from the defeat and levelled the series with a five-wicket win in Hobart.

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The fourth T20I is scheduled to be held at the Carrara Oval in Queensland on Thursday, November 6. This is going to be an important fixture for both sides as the loser will have to forego hopes of bagging the series.