NEW DELHI: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy enjoyed a breakthrough season in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
His performance, marked by both batting display and bowling contributions, solidified his position as a key player for his franchise.
Reddy’s contributions with the bat were significant, accumulating 303 runs in 13 matches. This impressive run tally, coupled with his three wickets, showcased his all-round capabilities.
His performances played a crucial role in SRH’s journey to the IPL 2024 final, where they were ultimately defeated by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Beyond the statistics, Reddy’s journey reveals a deep admiration for cricketing legends who have shaped his aspirations. He has openly expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, citing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as his favourite team for the past decade.
“I really admire Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. I’ve been a huge fan of RCB for the last 10 years. In 2023, I had the chance to meet Virat Kohli. I didn’t have much to ask him; I just wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph. In 2024, I was hoping to play well against RCB so that Virat Kohli would notice my game. Though I didn’t get to bat in that match, he remembered my name during the post-match handshake. That meant a lot to me,” Reddy told ESPNcricinfo.
Reddy’s commitment to the game has also garnered recognition from other prominent figures in the cricketing world, with T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya reaching out to Reddy post-IPL, praising his on-field intent and energy.
“Hardik bhai sent me a message saying the intent and energy I was giving on the field was good and to keep respecting the game. He said we would talk soon. I was shocked to see his message after the IPL season, especially since he was busy with World Cup duties. Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes are my inspirations for being an all-rounder. I replied, thanking him for his message,” the youngster added.
With his performance in the IPL, Reddy has not only garnered praise from his idols but has also marked a turning point in his career.
His performance, marked by both batting display and bowling contributions, solidified his position as a key player for his franchise.
Reddy’s contributions with the bat were significant, accumulating 303 runs in 13 matches. This impressive run tally, coupled with his three wickets, showcased his all-round capabilities.
His performances played a crucial role in SRH’s journey to the IPL 2024 final, where they were ultimately defeated by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Beyond the statistics, Reddy’s journey reveals a deep admiration for cricketing legends who have shaped his aspirations. He has openly expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, citing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as his favourite team for the past decade.
“I really admire Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. I’ve been a huge fan of RCB for the last 10 years. In 2023, I had the chance to meet Virat Kohli. I didn’t have much to ask him; I just wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph. In 2024, I was hoping to play well against RCB so that Virat Kohli would notice my game. Though I didn’t get to bat in that match, he remembered my name during the post-match handshake. That meant a lot to me,” Reddy told ESPNcricinfo.
Reddy’s commitment to the game has also garnered recognition from other prominent figures in the cricketing world, with T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya reaching out to Reddy post-IPL, praising his on-field intent and energy.
“Hardik bhai sent me a message saying the intent and energy I was giving on the field was good and to keep respecting the game. He said we would talk soon. I was shocked to see his message after the IPL season, especially since he was busy with World Cup duties. Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes are my inspirations for being an all-rounder. I replied, thanking him for his message,” the youngster added.
With his performance in the IPL, Reddy has not only garnered praise from his idols but has also marked a turning point in his career.