Synopsis
New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) As Indian cricket fans watch for Mohammed Shami's long-awaited return, they are equally eager to see Nitish Kumar Reddy's potential debut in the opening T20I against England. After a stellar IPL season and a successful tour in Australia, Nitish's prospects in the national team look promising.Key Takeaways
- Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to shine in the opening T20I against England.
- His performance in IPL 2024 has significantly boosted his career.
- Jaikumar praises his composure and adaptability under pressure.
- Nitish's power-hitting has improved, making him a key player.
- His role in India's lower middle order is crucial for upcoming matches.
New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) As Indian supporters keenly anticipate Mohammed Shami’s return to international cricket after a lengthy 430-day hiatus, their eyes will also be on Nitish Kumar Reddy as he may get the opportunity to showcase his skills in the opening T20I against England at Eden Gardens.
Since being honored with the Best Emerging Player award at IPL 2024, Nitish’s cricketing journey has taken an impressive turn. His outstanding performance in the T20I series against Bangladesh opened doors for him to join the Test tour in Australia, where he stood out as one of the three centurions from the Indian squad.
There’s a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Nitish’s performance in the T20I series against England, especially with their formidable lineup of fast bowlers.
“His debut tour to Australia was crucial as the pitch conditions there differ significantly from those in India. He effectively utilized his experiences from the Ranji Trophy amidst challenging Australian conditions, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and composure,” remarked Hariesh Jaikumar, assistant batting coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad during IPL 2024, to IANS.
Despite not being selected for the ODIs against England or the Champions Trophy, Jaikumar believes in Nitish’s potential to become one of the finest all-rounders in cricket. “He possesses a strong mindset—very determined, hardworking, and dedicated,” he stated.
“Nitish remains calm under pressure and has worked diligently to reach this level. While he may not openly express his feelings, he is incredibly confident and has honed his batting skills immensely,” he added.
Jaikumar first spotted Nitish while scouting for SRH in 2022, where the young player stood out during trials. After a limited stint in the 2023 season, Nitish impressed again in year-end trials, showcasing his abilities against the bowlers planned for the upcoming season.
“We were particularly impressed with his switch-hit technique against our target bowlers, leading us to advocate for his inclusion in the playing eleven. Besides his batting and bowling, he is an exceptional fielder, arguably one of the best in the country,” Jaikumar revealed.
Jaikumar attributed Nitish’s enhanced power-hitting to his success in IPL 2024, especially in clutch situations against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
“His power hitting has seen a remarkable improvement, allowing him to dominate both spinners and pacers alike. He played a fantastic innings against Punjab, scoring 64 runs and leading us to victory despite being three or four wickets down,” he described.
“In a match against Rajasthan, he initially struggled but later delivered a match-winning performance with an unbeaten 76 runs. Both times he scored over fifty, we secured our wins.”
Regarding his retention by SRH, Jaikumar said it was an easy choice. “We had no doubts about his talent due to his performances last year, which impressed our coach Dan Vettori and captain Pat Cummins. Being a local talent also played a part in his retention,” he explained.
Nitish’s inclusion strengthens India’s lower middle order and provides an additional bowling option for the upcoming T20I series against England, which promises to be a high-scoring affair. As of now, his prospects with both India and SRH shine as brightly as fireworks in the night sky.
“He will play a crucial role in the middle order alongside Heinrich Klaasen. Last time, the partnerships they formed were vital in winning matches after we lost key wickets. We look forward to more fifties and match-winning performances from Nitish this season, along with his contributions with the ball,” concluded Jaikumar.