Nitish Kumar Reddy record-breaker IPL cricket star: After witnessing his impressive performance for SunRisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings, India batter Hanuma Vihari tweeted, ‘Invest in him. He’s the next big thing, not just in franchise cricket.’ Referring to his young statemate Nitish Kumar Reddy’s quickfire 64 runs off 37 balls.
At just 20 years old, breaking into the SRH XI this year requires serious potential, especially with a lineup filled with international stars in both batting and bowling departments. Nitish’s contribution of 14 runs off eight balls, including a crucial six, in the match against Chennai Super Kings further solidified his place in the team.
Vihari continued praising Nitish in his tweet, highlighting his rare combination as a batter who can bowl medium pace, making him a valuable asset.
As SunRisers Hyderabad’s batting order faltered, finding themselves at 27 for two and later 64 for four against the Punjab Kings, Nitish was given a crucial promotion to number 4. This decision came ahead of Heinrich Klaasen and impact substitute Rahul Tripathi.
Hailing from Vizag, Nitish wasted no time in making an impact. He began his innings with a flurry of boundaries against Harpreet Brar before confidently dispatching Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran for sixes in just three deliveries. His pivotal contribution came in the form of a blistering 20-run over against Brar, where he struck two sixes and two fours, significantly boosting SRH’s total to a match-winning 182.
Remarkably, none of his teammates managed to exceed 25 runs.
In addition to his batting heroics, Nitish also showcased his bowling skills by delivering three overs of medium pace. It’s worth noting that he only started taking bowling seriously four years ago. His maiden IPL wicket came through a well-executed slower bouncer that dismissed Jitesh Sharma, further highlighting his multifaceted talent on the cricket field.
A record-breaker
During his early teenage years, Nitish idolized India’s batting legend Virat Kohli while excelling in a top-order batting position for Andhra in age-group cricket. His breakthrough came during the 2017-18 season, during which he made significant contributions and made his mark by setting new records in the Vijay Merchant Trophy.
Nitish showcased remarkable prowess during that season, accumulating 1,237 runs at an astonishing average of 176.41, which remains the highest aggregate in the history of the tournament. His phenomenal run included a triple century, two centuries, two half-centuries, and a memorable 441 runs off 366 balls against Nagaland.
Recognizing his exceptional talent, Nitish was honored as the ‘Best Cricketer in the Under-16’ category by the BCCI at the annual award function in 2018. It was during this event that he had the opportunity to meet his batting idol, Virat Kohli.
“A few years later, Nitish reflected on missing the opportunity to meet Kohli, citing interference from bodyguards.
As demands on his body increased, Nitish had to reassess his role as a top-order batsman and new ball bowler. Nirmal Kumar, the current Andhra coach, recalls overseeing Nitish’s development even in the U-19 circuit. While Nitish displayed versatility by batting at the top and opening the bowling, it was deemed excessive at that stage. Consequently, the decision was made to transition him into the middle-order and refine his bowling skills.
Though his batting contributions in the lower order have been modest, Nitish’s ability as a seam-bowling all-rounder earned him a place in the senior Andhra team in early 2020, subsequently becoming a regular across formats from 2021. Notably, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Andhra this season during a quarterfinal finish, claiming 25 wickets in each of the last two Ranji Trophy editions.
While his pace bowling continues to develop, Nirmal expresses satisfaction with Nitish’s progress in batting, particularly in the longer format. Nitish amassed over 350 runs in the Ranji season, including an impressive 159 against Bihar. Nirmal regards Nitish as one of India’s finest all-rounder talents, capable of excelling with both bat and ball. Additionally, Nitish’s exceptional fitness, coupled with his proficiency as an all-round fielder and specialist slip-catcher, further enhances his value to the Andhra team.
Nirmal commends Nitish’s readiness to take on any role assigned to him, highlighting his versatility as a cricketer. Nitish’s ability to bat at any position and bowl yorkers, bouncers, and excel in death overs make him a complete package.
Reflecting on Nitish’s performance during the season, Nirmal recalls a memorable instance during the Ranji quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh. Despite an early collapse, Nitish showcased his resilience by picking up four wickets in the second innings and then being promoted to bat at number 3. Despite the team’s loss, Nitish’s willingness to step up in difficult situations left a lasting impression.
Nitish’s father, Mutyala, shares a significant moment that shaped Nitish’s aspirations. A meeting with India’s premier all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, during his U19 days at the National Cricket Academy, ignited Nitish’s desire to become an all-rounder.
