Select the option that expresses the given sentence in Direct to Indirect Speech.
He said, "I must reach early."

Correct option is D

The correct indirect speech is (d) He said that he had to reach early.
Explanation: The reporting verb said is in the past; hence we backshift the modal must (expressing necessity/obligation) to had to in indirect speech. The first-person pronoun I changes to he (subject of reporting clause), and quotation marks are removed with the conjunction that.
Rules for conversion (Direct → Indirect):
· Tense backshift when reporting verb is past: must → had to, will → would, can → could, etc.
· Pronoun changes according to context (I → he/she).
· Remove quotes; use that for statements.
· Option analysis:
· (a) should = advice/suggestion, weaker than obligation → meaning changes.
· (b) must (no backshift) → usually wrong after past reporting (unless universal/unchanged truth).
· (c) will → backshift needed to would; tense error.
· Example: He said, “I must go now.” → He said that he had to go then.
· Info booster: “Must” stays must in reported speech when it denotes prohibition or logical deduction in timeless contexts; for necessity/obligation in past reporting, use had to.