With Hardik Pandya not in the Test squad, Nitish Kumar Reddy is the only pace-bowling all-rounder in the team for the five-match Test series.

Team India, under coach Gautam Gambhir, gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener against Australia at Perth’s WACA on 22. The pace-friendly pitch could see young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy make his Test debut as India seeks a balanced lineup.

In 23 First Class matches played so far, 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy has scored 779 runs and picked up 56 wickets.