As Nitish Kumar Reddy embarked on his maiden Test tour to England, he sought guidance from one of cricket’s finest leaders—Pat Cummins, his captain at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
Reddy revealed that during the IPL season, he had approached Cummins to understand how to adapt his bowling to English conditions. Rather than offering complicated technical tips, Cummins emphasized simplicity. His golden piece of advice was not to overthink or drastically change his bowling.
Instead, Cummins suggested that Nitish focus on reading the conditions—especially the weather—and to stick with his natural game. According to Reddy, Cummins told him to just “watch the weather conditions and play your game,” while keeping an open mind to learn along the way.
Mentorship from Morne Morkel
In addition to Cummins’ insights, Nitish Kumar Reddy also benefited from working closely with former South African pacer and current Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel. Under Morkel’s supervision, Reddy refined his bowling technique, particularly focusing on swing and consistency. Morkel encouraged him to stay true to his strengths and not chase unnecessary changes in his action or pace.
This dual mentorship—one from a legendary Australian captain and the other from a seasoned fast bowler—proved crucial in Reddy’s development as a promising bowling all-rounder. Reddy credited both mentors for boosting his confidence and helping him prepare mentally and technically for the rigours of English pitches.
Making an Impressive Debut
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Test debut could not have started on a better note. Playing at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Reddy struck in his very first over, removing both of England’s openers—Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.
It was a dream beginning for any young bowler making their international debut in challenging foreign conditions. By the end of the first day, Reddy had bowled 14 overs, conceding just 46 runs and picking up 2 crucial wickets.
His composure and impact reflected not just his talent but also the strong foundation laid by the advice and support he received from Cummins and Morkel. This performance has positioned him as a valuable asset for India’s future, especially in overseas conditions where adaptability is key.
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