IPL 2024: SRH All Rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy Wants To Deliver On All Three Fronts After Maiden Fifty

Add as a preferred source on Google

Nitish Kumar Reddy made his first start for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 during victory over Chennai Super Kings last week, but the young Andhra all-rounder announced his arrival with a match-winning fifty in the 2-run win against Punjab Kings on Tuesday (April 9).

Nitish, a rare commodity in Indian cricket - a batter who can bowl medium pace, scored an unbeaten 14 off 8 balls in SRH's 6-wicket win vs CSK. The 20-year-old then dug SRH out of a hole with a 37-ball 64 against PBKS.

With SRH in a spot of bother at 27 for 2, losing in-form overseas batters Travis Head and Aiden Markram in successive deliveries, Nitish walked out to the middle to join Abhishek Sharma, who also soon departed.

Despite losing partners at the other end, Nitish continued with his aggressive approach as he struck 5 sixes and 4 fours in his knock, and shared a crucial 50-run stand with Abdul Samad to take SRH past 150.

The all-rounder then returned to bowl for the first time in IPL and claimed his first wicket with the dismissal of Jitesh Sharma, who was looking a threat to SRH in the run chase. The Andhra cricket also took a catch earlier in the innings.

Following his display as an all-rounder, Nitish, who was awarded the player of the match, said he wants to continue to deliver on all three fronts for his team.

"I just want to continue this performance for my team, with the bat, with the ball and in the field. I just want to be like this," Nitish Kumar Reddy said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Nitish targetted Harpreet Brar as he scored 11 and 22 runs off the left-arm spinner, and had also hooked Kagiso Rabada for a maximum. He further explained why he first chose to take on the spinners.

"The seamers were bowling well, so I did not want to take them on. When the spinners came on, I wanted to attack them and that is what I did," he added.

"For me, it is a big contribution for my team and myself. I have been talking to myself that I have to believe in myself and that I have to be there."

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins also was full of praise for the all-rounder, who ended with figures of 1 for 33 in 3 overs, as his stellar show that proved to be the difference between the two teams in the end.

"He was awesome, fantastic debut last week. Straight to the top for the order, fantastic in the field, bowled three overs too. To get us to 180 off his bat, it was amazing," Cummins said at the post-match presentation after leading SRH to their third win in five matches.

Vihari Backs Nitish

Indian cricketer and Nitish's Andhra teammate Hanuma Vihari has called for more backing for the all-rounder, who can be a big asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad and the national team.

"That was just a glimpse from Nitish. Invest in him. He's the next big thing not just in franchise cricket. Batter who can bowl medium pace. Rare commodity!," Vihari had posted on X after Nitish's debut in IPL.

Vihari later quote replied to the earlier tweet posting, "Next Superstar" after Nitish scored a match-winning knock and later went on to add how hard the youngster has worked to get this far.

"NKR- comes from a humble background. His father left his job for his career, he guided him and nurtured him. His hard work has paid dividends and I've seen him whn he was 17 years old. Proud of him of how he's grown as a player.Asset for SRH n India in the future!," Vihari added.