A Fragile Sticker Should Be Put on Him : Aakash Chopra Reacts to Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Injury Blow Ahead of Ireland and England T20Is

Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has expressed concern over the recurring injury troubles of seam-bowling all-rounders, particularly Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya, after Reddy was ruled out of India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England.

Nitish Kumar Reddy suffered a left quadriceps injury and has been replaced by Suryansh Shedge in India’s 16-member squad for the tour. Reacting to the setback, Chopra suggested that players like Nitish and Hardik should be treated with extra care due to their injury-prone nature.

Aakash Chopra’s ‘Fragile Sticker’ Remark

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said:

“Nitish Kumar Reddy has gotten injured once again. A fragile sticker should be put on him. Why put it on him alone? You should put it on everyone. Put it on Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Put a fragile sticker on all medium-pace all-rounders. Handle with care.”

The former opener emphasized the importance of seam-bowling all-rounders in modern Cricket and highlighted India’s lack of quality options in the role ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India’s Search for Reliable Seam-Bowling All-Rounders

Chopra pointed out that injuries to Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy could create a major headache for India’s team management in the coming years.

“Hardik Pandya hasn’t been available for such a long time. He is still not available. Don’t know when he will be available. Nitish Kumar Reddy is available sporadically. We are already starting to think about what will happen in 2027 because you don’t have too many options left. It’s a very rare commodity.”

He also briefly considered Shivam Dube as a potential option but questioned whether his bowling and fielding abilities are strong enough for the ODI format.

Suryansh Shedge Earns Opportunity

Chopra welcomed the inclusion of Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, praising his performances in domestic cricket, IPL 2026, and for India A.

“Suryansh Shedge has been selected. He performed well for Mumbai, then did well for Punjab Kings, and has also impressed for India A. He is a good utility cricketer and should get opportunities because the conditions in Ireland and England will suit him.”

Shedge scored 158 runs in seven innings for Punjab Kings during IPL 2026 at an average of 39.50 and has continued his good form at the India A level.

Shashank Singh Missed His Chance

Chopra also felt that Shashank Singh could have been a contender for the vacant spot but failed to capitalize due to a dip in form.

“I can’t help but think about what would have happened had Shashank Singh enjoyed a good season. He bowled decently, but his batting wasn’t as impactful as previous years, and he dropped too many catches. When an opportunity opened up, someone else grabbed it.”

Shashank managed only 132 runs in nine innings during IPL 2026, averaging 22.00, while also struggling in the field.

Final Thoughts

With Nitish Kumar Reddy sidelined once again, India’s concerns over the availability of quality seam-bowling all-rounders continue to grow. While Suryansh Shedge now has an opportunity to make a mark on the international stage, the team management will be hoping both Nitish and Hardik Pandya can overcome their fitness issues before the 2027 ODI World Cup preparations gather momentum.