A brand-new all-rounder is rising on the Indian cricket horizon. Twenty-one-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy of Andhra Pradesh has all the makings of becoming a much-wanted purveyor of both bat and ball. He is also sharpening himself as an electrifying fielder to boot. Though India lost the second Test against Australia in Adelaide, Nitish stamped his calibre, showing his skill with the willow first and then with the ball.
Nitish Kumar Reddy first created a sensation when he started the 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy with a triple-century for Andhra, followed by a 345-ball 441 against Nagaland. His 1237 runs there at an average of 176.41 remains the record highest tally in the tournament’s history, and earned him the BCCI’s award for best U-16 cricketer that season. He continued to make rapid strides in his career. There was just no stopping him. He started showing his growth as a bowler too adding to his repertoire.
As he developed his bowling as a seamer, he also took the new ball for Andhra in senior domestic cricket, and his all-round skills earned the interest of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Before the 2023 IPL season, he was bought by SRH for Rs. 20 lakhs, but in his debut season, he bowled five wicketless overs across two games while not getting to bat. However, in IPL 2024, his exploits earned SRH crucial victories in their run-up to the playoffs; his 64 against Punjab Kings helped SRH win by one run, while his unbeaten 76 against Rajasthan Royals ensured a two-run win. Nitish’s meteoric rise saw him gain a place in the Indian team in the shorter version.
Nitish is blessed with a calm and composed demeanour. He never gets ruffled when he is tested with short pitched deliveries or when bowling hit for big runs. His bowling has added extra teeth and a new dimension to the Indian attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways and keep control over his line and length has earned him a few Test wickets. He is here to stay. Once he establishes his spot as an all-rounder in the Indian squad, one can expect greater performances from the talented youngster.
Former cricketing great Sunil Gavaskar who was critical of his inclusion has heaped a lot of praise on Nitish. “He has been very impressive; there is no question about that. The way he has adapted to the situation and the way he is batting shows he has a good cricketing head on his shoulders.”
Gavaskar in fact had some advice for the young all-rounder. “He needs to keep working hard, not take anything lightly, and remember always, always, that due to the prayers of his parents and Indian cricket, all good things will happen to him. And that is the reason that he has got to be loyal, loyal to Indian cricket. “
Nitish too knows his priorities. His focus should be to continue the good work he started. He needs to convert his 40s in big scores and work still more on his bowling abilities. Nitish is an ardent admirer of Virat Kohli. He said: “I was a huge fan of Virat Bhaiya and used to watch every match of his so that he scores a century and celebrate it. I like the way he celebrated. I used to calculate my age to see if Virat Kohli didn’t retire when I made my debut for the country. “
With Hardik Pandya not doing justice to his all-around talent and with no other seasoned player in sight, Nitish will have to capitalise in no uncertain terms to become a permanent player in the Indian squad.