Nitish Kumar Reddy, born on May 26, 2003, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is a promising Indian cricketer known for his all-round abilities. He bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium-fast, fulfilling the role of a batting all-rounder.
Domestic Career:
Reddy’s cricketing journey began early, and he made significant strides in domestic cricket:
- First-Class Debut: January 27, 2020, for Andhra Pradesh against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy.
- List A Debut: February 20, 2021, for Andhra Pradesh against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- T20 Debut: November 4, 2021, for Andhra Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
His domestic performances, including a remarkable quadruple century (441 runs off 345 balls) against Nagaland in the 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy, highlighted his potential and earned him recognition.
Indian Premier League (IPL):
In the 2023 IPL auction, Reddy was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹20 lakh. Although he had limited opportunities in his debut season, he showcased his talent in the 2024 season by scoring 303 runs at an average of 33.67 and a strike rate of 142.92, including two half-centuries, and also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets.
International Career:
Reddy’s consistent performances paved the way for his international debut:
- T20 International (T20I) Debut: October 6, 2024, against Bangladesh at Gwalior. He made an immediate impact by scoring a quickfire 74 in the series.
- Test Debut: November 22, 2024, against Australia at Perth during the Border–Gavaskar Trophy. He impressed with scores of 41 and 38 in challenging conditions.
In the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne in December 2024, Reddy scored his maiden Test century, an unbeaten 105, demonstrating his resilience and skill under pressure.
ICC Rankings (as of December 2024):
- Test Batting: Ranked 69th.
- Test All-Rounder: Ranked 90th.
- T20I Batting: Ranked 80th.
Career Statistics (as of December 2024):
Test Matches:
- Matches: 4
- Runs: 284
- Batting Average: 68.14
- Highest Score: 105*
- Wickets: 2
- Bowling Average: 25.00
T20 Internationals:
- Matches: 3
- Runs: 90
- Batting Average: 45.00
- Highest Score: 74
- Wickets: 3
- Bowling Average: 23.66
Playing Style:
Reddy is recognized for his aggressive batting, particularly his proficiency against spin bowling, and his capability as a seam bowler, making him a valuable asset in all formats of the game.
Background:
Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Reddy’s cricketing journey was significantly influenced by his father, who made personal sacrifices to support his son’s ambitions. Reddy’s early talent was nurtured through state-level tournaments, where he was mentored by former Indian selector MSK Prasad.
With a blend of talent, dedication, and early achievements, Nitish Kumar Reddy is poised to be a prominent figure in Indian cricket’s future.