Nitish Kumar Reddy is an Indian cricketer and all-rounder who plays for the India national team across all three formats. He represents Andhra in domestic cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Born on May 26, 2003, in Visakhapatnam, Reddy made his T20I debut in October 2024, followed by his Test debut in November 2024 against Australia.
He shot to prominence with a breakthrough IPL season in 2024, winning the Emerging Player award. Reddy scored a maiden Test century (114) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December 2024 the highest score at the iconic venue by a batter from number eight or below.
Every generation of Indian cricket produces a talent that captures the imagination of fans. For the current era, Nitish Kumar Reddy is that name a young all-rounder from Visakhapatnam who has risen through the ranks with breathtaking speed.
What makes Reddy special isn’t just his ability with bat or ball. It’s the rare combination of both, delivered with a maturity that belies his age. In an era where the Impact Player rule has supposedly diminished the value of all-rounders in T20 cricket, Reddy has become a compelling counterargument. From smashing a record-breaking 441 in age-group cricket to scoring a Test century at the MCG, his journey is a testament to raw talent meeting relentless hard work.
Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast tracking India’s next big star or an IPL fan wondering who brings balance to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive lineup, understanding Nitish Kumar Reddy’s story offers a glimpse into the future of Indian cricket.
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Born on May 26, 2003, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s full name is Kaki Nitish Kumar Reddy. He started playing cricket from the age of five, naturally excelling both as a batter and bowler.
His journey is deeply rooted in sacrifice and belief, with his family playing a crucial role in nurturing his talent from a young age. The coastal city of Visakhapatnam, known for producing cricketing talent, provided the perfect backdrop for Reddy’s early development.
DOMESTIC CRICKET RISE
Reddy’s breakthrough moment came in the 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy, when he scored a staggering 1,237 runs in a single season. This included an extraordinary knock of 441 runs off just 345 balls against Nagaland a performance that announced his arrival on the national stage.
His heroics earned him the BCCI Under-16 Best Cricketer Award at the 2018 BCCI Awards.
Since making his senior domestic debut for Andhra in January 2020, Reddy has continued to impress. In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he was the third-highest wicket-taker for Andhra, claiming 25 wickets and scoring 160 runs in eight matches while batting in the lower order.
IPL JOURNEY WITH SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
Reddy was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 IPL auction. He made his TATA IPL debut in 2023 but got only a limited run, featuring in two games.
The 2024 season was his breakthrough. Playing 13 matches, Reddy scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92 with two half-centuries. He also showcased his bowling ability, including a match-winning spell of 2/17 that dismissed key wickets of Tristan Stubbs and Rishabh Pant. His performances earned him the Emerging Player of the Season award.
Ahead of the 2025 season, SRH named Reddy among their five retentions, paying him INR 6 crore.
The 2025 season, however, was a learning curve. Reddy managed 182 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of around 119. But true to his character, he bounced back strongly in 2026.
IPL 2026 RESURGENCE
IPL 2026 marked Reddy’s reinvention as a complete all-rounder. He cranked up his bowling pace from the mid-120s to the upper 130s and improved his power-hitting significantly.
By mid-season, Reddy had struck 222 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 166.91, along with seven wickets at an economy of 10.39.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta called Reddy the “only proper all-rounder” in IPL 2026, praising his ability to bat in the middle order and bowl three to four overs regularly. This was particularly significant given that the Impact Player rule has reduced the role of many all-rounders in the IPL.
SRH assistant coach James Franklin praised Reddy as “strong, fast and athletic”, noting his contribution had been “immense” to the team’s balance.
Between overs 16 and 20, Reddy’s strike rate of 215.87 was the third-highest by an Indian batter, behind only Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar.
INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS
Reddy’s impressive IPL form earned him a call-up to the national team. He made his T20I debut on October 6, 2024, against Bangladesh and made an immediate impact.
In just his second T20I, Reddy smashed a blistering 74 off 34 balls and chipped in with two crucial wickets, earning the Player of the Match award as India sealed the series.
His Test debut came on November 22, 2024, against Australia in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth a dream come true for the all-rounder, who received his maiden Test cap from his childhood idol, Virat Kohli.
Reddy made his ODI debut on October 19, 2025, against Australia and scored his maiden half-century in just his second ODI.
THE MCG CENTURY A BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2024 was the defining moment of Reddy’s young career.
Batting at number eight, he scored a composed maiden Test century 114 off 171 balls becoming the third-youngest Indian to register a maiden Test ton in Australia.
More remarkably, he became the first Indian to score a Test hundred at number eight or below at the MCG the highest score at the iconic venue by a batter from that position.
In the same series, Reddy also claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, showcasing his all-round prowess on the biggest stage.
PLAYING STYLE AND SKILLSET
Reddy is a right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler who has worked extensively on increasing his pace. Under the guidance of fast-bowling coach Steffan Jones, Reddy has added significant speed to his bowling.
His batting is characterized by clean power-hitting and the ability to accelerate in the death overs. As a finisher at No. 5 or No. 6, he has shown the temperament to hit from the first ball.
With the ball, Reddy offers versatility he can bowl with the new ball in the PowerPlay or through the middle overs, providing his captain with multiple options. His improvement in pace (from mid-120s to upper 130s) has made him a more potent attacking option.
INJURIES AND SETBACKS
Like any cricketer’s journey, Reddy’s path has not been without obstacles.
He was initially selected for India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe but an unfortunate injury ruled him out, with Shivam Dube replacing him.
In June 2026, Reddy suffered a left quadriceps injury during the ODI series against Afghanistan. The injury ruled him out of the T20I series against Ireland and the five-match T20I series against England.
BCCI Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman spoke about Reddy’s rehabilitation, acknowledging that injuries are “part and parcel” of a cricketer’s life. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu even urged the BCCI to take extra care of all-rounders like Reddy.
Despite missing out on selection for the 2026 T20 World Cup, SRH reaffirmed their faith in his abilities by retaining him.
International Career (as of 2026)
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s/50s | Wickets | Best Bowling |
| Test | 10 | 396 | 114 | 26.40 | 1/0 | 8 | 2/32 |
| ODI | 4 | 100 | 53 | 33.33 | 0/1 | 0 | – |
| T20I | 4 | 90 | 74 | 45.00 | 0/1 | 3 | 2/23 |
IPL Career
| Season | Matches | Runs | SR | 50s | Wickets | Economy |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 10.80 |
| 2024 | 13 | 303 | 142.92 | 2 | 3 | 11.68 |
| 2025 | 13 | 182 | 118.95 | 0 | 2 | 9.40 |
| 2026 | 10 | 222 | 166.92 | 1 | 7 | 10.39 |
| Overall | 38 | 707 | 141.97 | 3 | 12 | 10.68 |
First-Class Career
| Matches | Runs | Avg | 100s/50s | Wickets | Avg | Best Bowling |
| 36 | 1,327 | 23.69 | 2/3 | 66 | 30.48 | 5/53 |
FUTURE PROSPECTS
At just 23 years old (as of 2026), Nitish Kumar Reddy has already achieved what many cricketers dream of in a lifetime a Test century, international debuts across all formats, and IPL success. But his journey is only beginning.
With India’s search for genuine seam-bowling all-rounders intensifying, Reddy has positioned himself as a long-term successor to Hardik Pandya in the ODI setup. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him an invaluable asset across all formats.
The quadriceps injury in mid-2026 was a temporary setback, but if his career trajectory is any indication, Reddy will bounce back stronger. His work ethic from increasing bowling speed through specialized coaching to refining his power-hitting suggests a player who understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Reddy represents the balance they cannot afford to lose. For Indian cricket, he represents the future.
FAQs
1. Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy?
Nitish Kumar Reddy is an Indian cricketer and all-rounder who plays for the India national team in all three formats. He represents Andhra in domestic cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He is known for his right-handed batting and right-arm medium-fast bowling.
2. How old is Nitish Kumar Reddy?
Nitish Kumar Reddy was born on May 26, 2003, making him 23 years old as of 2026.
3. Where is Nitish Kumar Reddy from?
He hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
4. When did Nitish Kumar Reddy make his India debut?
Reddy made his T20I debut on October 6, 2024 against Bangladesh. His Test debut followed on November 22, 2024 against Australia in Perth. He made his ODI debut on October 19, 2025 against Australia.
5. What is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s highest Test score?
His highest Test score is 114, which he scored at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2024 his maiden Test century.
6. What is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s IPL record?
In 38 IPL matches, Reddy has scored 707 runs at a strike rate of 141.97, with three half-centuries, and taken 12 wickets. His best IPL season was 2024 when he scored 303 runs and won the Emerging Player award.
7. Which IPL team does Nitish Kumar Reddy play for?
He plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who retained him among their five retentions ahead of the 2025 season.
8. What is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling style?
He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He has worked on increasing his pace from the mid-120s to the upper 130s km/h.
9. Has Nitish Kumar Reddy won any awards?
Yes, he won the BCCI Under-16 Best Cricketer Award in 2018 and the IPL Emerging Player of the Season award in 2024.
10. Is Nitish Kumar Reddy injured?
In June 2026, Reddy suffered a left quadriceps injury during the ODI series against Afghanistan, which ruled him out of the T20I series against Ireland and England.
CONCLUSION
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey from the cricket grounds of Visakhapatnam to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground is a story of talent, determination, and relentless hard work. In just a few years, he has transformed from a promising age-group cricketer into an international all-rounder who has scored a Test century at one of cricket’s most hallowed venues.
What sets Reddy apart is his ability to contribute across all facets of the game. In an era where specialists often dominate, his all-round skills make him a rare and valuable asset. His resurgence in IPL 2026 after a challenging 2025 season demonstrates mental resilience that will serve him well in the years ahead.
The quadriceps injury in mid-2026 is a reminder that the path to greatness is never linear. But if Reddy’s career so far is any indication, he will use this setback as fuel for an even stronger comeback. For Indian cricket, he represents the seam-bowling all-rounder the team has long sought. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is the balance that holds the team together. And for cricket fans, he is a name to watch a young star whose best years are still ahead of him.
