Nitish Kumar Reddy: Inspired by Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes, Shines in IPL 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 21-year-old all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh, has been inspired by star cricketers Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes. Nitish was called up to the Indian squad for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after a strong IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Although he couldn’t play due to a sports hernia injury, he made a significant impression with his performance in the IPL, scoring 303 runs in 11 innings with two fifties at a strike rate of 143 and taking three wickets with his seam bowling.
Currently, Nitish is working his way back to full fitness as the new domestic season starts on September 5 with the Duleep Trophy. Speaking to Star Sports, Nitish recalled receiving a message from India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who praised his intent and energy on the field and encouraged him to keep respecting the game. Nitish expressed his gratitude for the message, especially since Hardik was busy with World Cup duties.
Nitish’s journey began with impressive performances in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he scored a triple ton against Tamil Nadu, 190 against Karnataka, and a quadruple ton against Nagaland, finishing the 2017-18 edition with 1,237 runs. Despite a challenging period in 2019, his coach Srinivas Reddy encouraged him to continue as a bowler, leading to his selection for an ACA camp and eventually his Ranji debut against Kerala in January 2020.
Nitish was picked up by SRH ahead of the 2023 IPL but played only two games. In July last year, he was called up to India’s Emerging Players squad for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but did not get to bat there either. Now, he is focused on making a strong comeback in the upcoming domestic season.
Doubts Revealed
Nitish Kumar Reddy -: Nitish Kumar Reddy is a young cricket player from Andhra Pradesh, a state in India. He is known for playing both batting and bowling, which makes him an all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya -: Hardik Pandya is a famous Indian cricketer known for his powerful batting and fast bowling. He plays for the Indian national team and in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is a well-known cricketer from England. He is famous for his all-rounder skills, meaning he is good at both batting and bowling.
IPL 2024 -: IPL stands for Indian Premier League, which is a big cricket tournament in India where teams from different cities compete. IPL 2024 means the tournament held in the year 2024.
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Sports hernia -: A sports hernia is a type of injury that happens in the lower belly or groin area. It can be very painful and usually needs rest and treatment to heal.
T20I series -: T20I stands for Twenty20 International, which is a type of cricket match that lasts about three hours. Teams from different countries play against each other in these matches.
Sunrisers Hyderabad -: Sunrisers Hyderabad is a cricket team that plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team is based in the city of Hyderabad.
Ranji debut -: Ranji Trophy is a big cricket tournament in India where teams from different states compete. A debut means the first time someone plays in a tournament, so Ranji debut means the first time Nitish played in the Ranji Trophy.
Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy -: The Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy is a cricket tournament in India for players who are under 16 years old. It helps young players show their talent and get noticed.
