India's preparations for the white-ball tour of the United Kingdom have suffered an early setback. Nitish Reddy has been ruled out of both T20I assignments after sustaining a muscle injury, prompting selectors to bring in emerging all-rounder Suryansh Shedge.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England due to injury. The 23-year-old experienced discomfort in his left quadriceps during the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai on June 20 and was subsequently assessed by the BCCI medical team.

Following detailed medical evaluations, doctors recommended a rehabilitation period, ruling him out of India's entire T20I campaign in the United Kingdom. The development comes as a setback for both the player and team management, which had viewed Reddy as an important all-round option in the shortest format.

India begin their UK tour with the Ireland T20I series starting on June 26 before taking on England in a high-profile white-ball contest.

Injury Forces Withdrawal

According to the BCCI, Reddy had already shown signs of fitness concerns during the Afghanistan ODI series. He missed the second ODI in Lucknow due to a sore thigh before returning for the final match in Chennai.

However, the discomfort resurfaced during the game, leading to further medical examinations. Officials have not yet announced a definitive timeline for his return, leaving uncertainty over his availability for the ODI series against England scheduled to begin on July 14.

The latest injury adds to a challenging period for Reddy, who has struggled with recurring fitness issues since 2025. Previous injury setbacks also affected his participation in international and franchise cricket over the past year.

Suryansh Shedge Gets Opportunity

The selection committee has named Suryansh Shedge as Reddy's replacement for both T20I series. The Mumbai all-rounder has earned his maiden senior India call-up after a string of impressive performances across domestic and India A cricket.

Shedge recently played a key role in India A's successful tri-series campaign, scoring 147 runs in five matches while contributing valuable overs with the ball. His ability to contribute in multiple departments reportedly impressed selectors.

The all-rounder also enjoyed a standout Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, scoring 131 runs at a strike rate above 250 and helping Mumbai secure the title. Team management believes his aggressive batting and utility bowling make him a suitable replacement in India's T20 setup.

Team Departs for Ireland

The Indian squad has begun travelling to Ireland in phases. The first group departing from Chennai included players such as Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma, along with members of the coaching and support staff.

Additional players are expected to join the squad from Mumbai before the opening fixture.

Impact on India's Plans

Reddy's absence removes an important pace-bowling all-round option from India's T20 combination. Team management had been monitoring his development closely, particularly after his performances in international cricket and the IPL.

For Shedge, the opportunity represents a chance to establish himself at the highest level. Strong performances in Ireland and England could strengthen his case for future selection in India's white-ball squads.

With the first T20I just days away, attention will now shift to how India reshapes its balance and whether the newcomer can seize a breakthrough opportunity on the international stage.