Who is Nitish Reddy?: Nitish Kumar Reddy shone brightly in SRH’s exhilarating triumph against PBKS during IPL 2024, emerging as a standout performer. His explosive batting earned him the Player of the Match award.
In an exciting match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Nitish Kumar Reddy stood out with his explosive batting display. Despite the challenge posed by a strong Punjab side led by Shikhar Dhawan, SRH secured a thrilling victory by a narrow margin of 2 runs in Mullanpur on Tuesday (April 9).
Early setback: Top-order collapse for SRH
In a fiercely contested match, Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran displayed formidable bowling, triggering a top-order collapse for SRH. Despite notable names like Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi (11), and the typically reliable Heinrich Klaasen failing to make substantial batting contributions, Nitish emerged as SRH’s beacon of hope, delivering an outstanding performance.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s explosive batting display
Displaying his attacking style of play, Reddy achieved a career-best score of 64 runs off just 37 balls, which included five sixes and four fours, at an impressive strike rate of 172.97. His outstanding performance was instrumental in SRH setting a challenging total of runs in their allotted 20 overs, ultimately leading to a crucial victory in the IPL 2024 campaign.
Here are the interesting facts about SRH’s batting dynamo Nitish Kumar Reddy:
Early Life and Family Background: Nitish was born on May 26, 2023, in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to K. Mutyala Reddy, who previously worked at Hindustan Zinc, and Manasa Jyotsna. He was raised alongside his sister, Sharmila Reddy.
Early Introduction to Cricket: Nitish’s journey in cricket commenced at the tender age of 5 when he first picked up the bat and ball. He found himself drawn to the Hindustan Zinc ground, where he eagerly observed senior players, igniting his passion for the sport and laying the groundwork for his cricketing aspirations.
Transition and Training: Around the age of 10-12, Nitish’s father made a significant decision to resign from his job and relocate to Udaipur. This move was motivated by his desire to ensure Nitish received high-quality training in cricket. Subsequently, Nitish was enrolled in the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association (VDCA) camp under the Andhra Cricket Association, marking the beginning of his formal training.
Spotting Talent: Nitish’s talent did not go unnoticed, catching the attention of former Indian cricketer and selector MSK Prasad during Under-12 and Under-14 matches. This recognition led to his selection for training at the ACA academy in Kadapa, where he received coaching from Madhusudhana Reddy and Srinivasa Rao, marking a significant milestone in his cricketing journey.
Record-Breaking Performance: Nitish’s remarkable performance in the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2017-18 was truly exceptional. His extraordinary innings of 441 runs against Nagaland, coupled with his overall tally of 1237 runs at an astonishing average of 176.41 and 26 wickets, earned him the prestigious Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ‘Best Cricketer in the Under-16’ Jagmohan Dalmiya award. This achievement made him the pride of the Andhra Cricket Association, as he became the first player from Andhra Pradesh to receive such an honor.
First-Class Debut and Impressive Start: Nitish embarked on his first-class journey for Andhra Pradesh during the 2019-2020 Ranji Trophy against Kerala. His debut match was highlighted by a notable performance, including a crucial catch of Basil Thampi and his maiden first-class wicket against Ponnan Rahul, showcasing his potential as a promising cricketer.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Debut and IPL Exposure: Nitish continued to showcase his talent with a stellar debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2020-21 against Vidarbha, where he scored a fifty, making 54 runs off 58 balls. His abilities caught the attention of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who selected him as a net player, granting him the opportunity to train with the team in Dubai in September 2021.
IPL Debut and Fulfilling a Dream: In a significant moment, the SRH team acquired Nitish ahead of the IPL 2023 edition during the IPL 2022 auction. His dream of sharing the field with his idol, Virat Kohli, became a reality when he made his IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in May 2023, marking an unforgettable milestone in his cricketing journey.
