"I thought no one is going to pick me" - Nitish Kumar Reddy was surprised by SRH retaining him for IPL 2024
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been one of the breakout stars of the IPL 2024 season and an important part of his team. However, he had a forgetful IPL 2023 season where he played just two games, and was surprised that he got retained for the following season.
Reddy's disappointment was understandable as he had conceded 54 runs in five overs that he had bowled last season in the two games he played. He accepted that he knew he had to work harder since the SunRisers Hyderabad management showed faith in his ability.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Nitish Kumar Reddy opened up on his reaction to SRH retaining him. He said:
"Even I thought no one is going to pick me and suddenly SRH retained me (after poor IPL 2023). I was like, 'I have to work a little more'."
Although SRH are playing an ultra-attacking brand of cricket this season, it has come with times where they have lost wickets in a bunch and needed someone to steady the ship. Nitish Kumar Reddy has performed that role well as he added:
"We know it's not going to work every time. It's not like we will go hard on opponents all the time, but one bad game, one bad ball, such things happen and we have to be prepared for early wickets. I've been thinking at the back of my mind for this situation that if the team is going to collapse, I have to be ready for that situation."
Reddy is enjoying a fine season with the bat with 276 runs in 10 matches at an average of 46 and a strike rate of 151.65.
Nitish Kumar Reddy on his role for SRH in IPL 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy's 64 off 37 balls against the Punjab Kings is one of his favorite knocks as it came at a time when the SunRisers needed someone to step up and absorb pressure. On this, he stated:
"I just love playing these kinds of innings. I don't really feel satisfied when the team scores 270 and I score 50 or 40 runs of those. But when the team really needs me, like when we are 4 for 10 or something like that, and I can go there and take the team till the end or the last over... I want to showcase that because that's what my role is."
Reddy hasn't really bowled much and one of the main reasons for that is the impact player rule. He has picked up three wickets at an economy rate of 11.51. However, the youngster is determined to keep learning from experienced bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the SRH setup and become a genuine all-rounder.