Nitish Kumar Reddy

Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as one of India’s most promising modern all-rounders, combining clean ball-striking with reliable medium pace. Representing Andhra in domestic cricket and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, his rise from age-group dominance to international cricket has been defined by resilience, versatility, and match-winning impact across formats.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Early Life & Background

Born on May 26, 2003, in Visakhapatnam, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey is deeply rooted in sacrifice and belief. His father, Mutyala Reddy, made a life-altering decision to quit his job after being transferred to Udaipur, choosing instead to fully support his son’s cricketing ambitions. 

Reddy began playing cricket at the age of five, initially with a plastic bat, often spending hours at local grounds watching senior players. His early training came through VDCA camps under coaches like Kumara Swamy and Krishna Rao, before being spotted by former India selector MSK Prasad, who guided him into the Andhra Cricket Association academy.

During the 2017–18 Vijay Merchant Trophy, he scored a staggering 441 off 345 balls against Nagaland and finished the tournament with 1237 runs at an average of 176.41, along with 26 wickets. This historic performance earned him the prestigious Jagmohan Dalmiya Award for Best Under-16 Cricketer, making him the first player from Andhra to achieve the honour.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Domestic Career

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s domestic journey is a compelling story of transformation—from a record-breaking batting prodigy to a complete pace-bowling all-rounder for Andhra. 

His rise began at the age-group level, where he dominated the 2017–18 Vijay Merchant Trophy with a staggering 1,237 runs at an average of 176.41, including a historic 441 against Nagaland.

Transitioning into senior cricket between 2020 and 2021, Reddy initially entered the Andhra setup as a specialist batter. However, recognising the demands of modern cricket, he consciously worked on his seam bowling and gradually reinvented himself as a genuine all-rounder. 

This shift proved to be a turning point in his career, as he began contributing with both bat and ball across formats.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s IPL Career

Nitish Kumar Reddy has experienced one of the fastest rises in the Indian Premier League in recent years, transforming from a base-price recruit into a core all-rounder for Sunrisers Hyderabad within just a couple of seasons.

His journey began in 2023 when SRH picked him up for INR 20 lakh. That season served largely as a learning phase, where he featured in only two matches and had limited opportunities to showcase his batting. 

The real breakthrough came in 2024, when Reddy emerged as one of the standout young players in the tournament. Playing 13 matches, he scored 303 runs at an impressive strike rate above 140, consistently delivering in high-pressure situations. 

Heading into 2025, SRH showed strong faith in him by retaining him for INR 6 crore. However, the season proved challenging due to injuries. Despite the setbacks, he still contributed valuable runs, though his overall impact dipped compared to the previous year.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s International Career

Nitish Kumar Reddy has quickly carved a niche for himself in international cricket since debuting in late 2024, emerging as a modern seam-bowling all-rounder with the ability to influence games in all three formats. 

Reddy made a memorable Test debut during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, facing Australia at Perth in November 2024. Receiving his maiden Test cap from his idol Virat Kohli, he quickly showcased his temperament in challenging overseas conditions. 

His defining moment came at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Boxing Day Test, where he scored a historic maiden century (114) batting at No. 8. 

This knock not only rescued India from a difficult position but also set a new benchmark, becoming the highest score by an Indian batting at No. 8 or lower in Australia, surpassing the previous record held by Anil Kumble. 

(As of April 2026)