The IPL 2024 season has emerged as a platform where lesser-known players are seizing the spotlight. Figures like Mayank Yadav, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Shashank Singh have already made their mark. Now, another rising star, 20-year-old Nitish Reddy from Andhra, showcased his talent on Tuesday. In a crucial match against Punjab Kings, Reddy displayed maturity beyond his years, crafting a stellar half-century when his team was under pressure.
Reddy, a versatile batsman and occasional bowler, was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a modest sum of Rs 20 lakh. With 17 first-class and 22 List A matches under his belt for Andhra in domestic cricket, Reddy entered his second IPL game against Punjab Kings. He dazzled with a brilliant 64 off just 37 deliveries, his highest IPL score to date, having previously made an unbeaten 14 against Chennai Super Kings.
His innings not only rescued Sunrisers Hyderabad from a precarious situation but also propelled them to a competitive total of 182/9, despite the notable performance of Punjab Kings’ left-arm seamer, Arshdeep Singh, who claimed four wickets for 29 runs.
Hanuma Vihari posted on Twitter for Nitish Reddy:
NKR- comes from a humble background.
— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) April 9, 2024
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!
The match commenced with a controversial moment as Travis Head survived a close call off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling. Despite a clear edge, Rabada’s uncertainty about the dismissal led to Punjab Kings opting not to review the decision. However, Head failed to capitalize on the opportunity and was eventually dismissed thanks to a remarkable catch by PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan.
Subsequent wickets fell at regular intervals for Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Aiden Markram and Abhishek Sharma departing cheaply. The powerplay yielded just 40 runs for the loss of three wickets, leaving SRH in a precarious position at 39/3. Despite the struggles, Nitish Reddy rose to the occasion, forming crucial partnerships to propel his team’s innings.
His standout moment came during a pivotal over against Harpreet Brar, where he amassed 22 runs, shifting the momentum in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s favor. Alongside Abdul Samad, Reddy orchestrated a quick 50-run partnership, guiding his team to a respectable total.
Despite their efforts, Sunrisers Hyderabad fell short in the end, but Nitish Reddy’s heroic innings not only earned him recognition but also highlighted his potential as a future star in the IPL circuit.
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