In just his second T20I appearance, Nitish Reddy, a rising Indian all-rounder, delivered a remarkable performance, contributing significantly to India’s commanding victory over Bangladesh. Reddy showcased his potential by not only excelling with the bat but also shining with the ball.
His innings began with two early let-offs, but his confidence grew after hitting a six off a free hit, courtesy of a no-ball by Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah. The 21-year-old cricketer from Andhra Pradesh seized the opportunity to guide India to a formidable total of 221/9, smashing a quick-fire 74 off just 34 balls.
His aggressive batting display set the tone for India’s dominance. Later, with the ball, Reddy bowled medium pace and took 2 wickets for 23 runs, helping restrict Bangladesh to 135/9. This emphatic win handed India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series ahead of the final T20I in Hyderabad.
Team Support and Fearless Cricket
After the match, Reddy expressed his pride and gratitude for being able to represent India at such a young age. He acknowledged the importance of the support he received from his teammates and coaching staff, crediting them for giving him the freedom to play with an aggressive, fearless mindset. “It feels great to represent India. I feel so proud about this moment. Grateful for everything. I should give credit to the captain and coach. They gave me the license to play fearless cricket,” Reddy shared during the post-match interaction.
Reflecting on his innings, Reddy said that while he took his time initially, the momentum shifted in his favor after Mahmudullah’s no-ball. That turning point helped him relax and play his natural game. “After that no-ball, everything went in my favor,” he admitted.
With such performances, Reddy aims to maintain consistency and continue contributing to the team. He emphasized his desire to keep delivering strong performances in future matches, aspiring to be a regular contributor to India’s success.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Strategic Insights
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav also played a crucial role in fostering a winning environment for younger players like Reddy. Yadav pointed out that India’s early setbacks, which saw them reduced to 41/3 in the powerplay, provided a perfect scenario to test their middle-order strength.
He expressed satisfaction with the partnership between Rinku Singh and Nitish Reddy, whose 108-run stand for the fourth wicket proved pivotal in stabilizing the innings. Rinku contributed a well-made 53 to support Reddy’s aggressive approach. “I wanted that situation,” Yadav said. “I wanted my middle-order batters to be tested in those conditions, and they delivered perfectly.”
He also highlighted how the team emphasizes allowing players to express themselves freely, replicating their performances from domestic cricket. “The message has been loud and clear—do what you do in the nets and during franchises. The only change is the jersey; everything else remains the same,” Yadav explained. This approach helped Nitish Reddy flourish, with Yadav noting, “It was his day, and I wanted him to make it large.”
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