Nitish Kumar Reddy

Nitish Kumar Reddy, a talented bowling all-rounder from Visakhapatnam who represents Andhra in Indian domestic cricket, has steadily risen through the ranks with his all-round abilities. His journey began with a stellar performance in the 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he amassed 1,237 runs, including an extraordinary 441 against Nagaland, earning him the Best Cricketer Award in the Under-16 category at the 2018 BCCI Awards.

Since making his senior domestic debut in January 2020, Reddy has further honed his bowling skills and delivered impactful performances. In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, Reddy was the third-highest wicket-taker for his state side, claiming 25 wickets and scoring 160 runs in eight matches while batting in the lower order.

These consistent performances earned him an IPL contract with Hyderabad in the 2023 auction, where he made his debut against Bengaluru. The 2024 IPL season saw Reddy solidify his reputation as a rising star, scoring 303 runs at an impressive average of 33.67 and taking three wickets, showcasing his utility as a dependable all-rounder. He also won the Emerging Player Award.

Reddy's impressive IPL form earned him a spot in the young Indian squad for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. However, an unfortunate injury ruled him out, and Shivam Dube replaced him in the squad. His long-awaited opportunity came later in the year when he made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. He made an immediate impact, and in just his second T20I, Reddy smashed a blistering 74 off 34 balls and chipped in with two crucial wickets, earning the Player of the Match award as India sealed the series.

This remarkable performance caught the attention of the Indian selectors, who included him in the squad for the prestigious 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. It was a dream come true for the all-rounder when he received his maiden Test cap in the first Test at Perth from none other than Virat Kohli, his childhood idol.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s rise since the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been nothing short of remarkable, highlighted by his breakthrough performance in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne where he brought up a composed maiden Test century (100 off 171). In doing so, he became the third-youngest Indian to register a maiden Test ton in Australia and the first from the country to score a Test hundred at No. 8 at the MCG. He also showcased his all-round prowess in the same series by claiming his maiden five-wicket haul.

Retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 6 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL season, Reddy endured a dip in form, managing 182 runs in 13 appearances. Despite this, he continued to represent Andhra across formats, including a magnificent 90 against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26. His domestic performances earned him an ODI debut against New Zealand later in 2025, and in just his second game, he notched up his maiden half-century, underlining his potential as a long-term all-round option for India. Although he missed out on selection for the 2026 T20 World Cup, SRH reaffirmed their faith in his abilities by retaining him once again for the 2026 IPL season.