He scored only 20 runs and bowled just two overs in the 2nd IND vs NZ ODI.
Former Indian batter Hanuma Vihari has come forward in support of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. The player’s role in the team was once again questioned on social media after he scored only 20 runs at No.7 and bowled just two overs in the second India vs New Zealand ODI.
The 32-year-old replied to an user on X (formerly Twitter) with Reddy’s stats so far across formats after he labeled the player as a “bits and pieces cricketer.” Since his ODI debut in the Australia series opener, the all-rounder is yet to produce an impactful performance with any of his skills in the last three fixtures.
But Vihari noted the Hyderabad player’s decent stats in the other two formats to establish his role as a pace-bowling all-rounder. Notably, after Hardik Pandya, the combination is currently a rare commodity in Indian cricket, making Reddy’s skillsets more valuable to the selectors.
Furthermore, he also recalled the youngster’s counter-attacking ton at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Reddy’s brilliant rescue act of 114 had guided India to post 369, chasing Australia’s first innings’ total of 474. Coming in at 191/6, his gritty and composed knock laced with 11 boundaries and a six was crucial for the visitors’ fightback.
“The overs bowled by him in different formats FYI: ODI 3 matches – 7 overs, T20’s 4 matches – 9 overs, 3 wickets at 7.88 eco (45 avg with the bat), Tests 10 matches – 86 overs – 8 wickets (60 sr), which isn’t bad for a 4th seamer. He got a 100 in Melbourne, which many can only dream. Like you & Me,” wrote Vihari.
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Except for an 11-ball 19 in a rain-marred clash on debut, the player couldn’t bring in much impact during the Australia ODIs before getting sidelined from the final match of the series with a quadriceps injury. However, in his next appearance for the Men in Blue, Reddy failed to stitch a crucial partnership with KL Rahul.
Coming in at the crease when the side was struggling at 191/5 in the 39th over, he couldn’t play the role of a finisher, departing after 21 deliveries. The player also conceded 13 runs in just two overs as New Zealand chased the target with ease to level the three-match series.
However, Reddy holds a great record in List A cricket, accumulating 626 runs in 24 innings, averaging 34.77 down the order. The all-rounder also has 21 wickets to his name in the format at an economy of 5.88. As India have started gearing up for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, the 22-year-old could be a key part of the squad if he manages to replicate similar stats in the upcoming one-day internationals.
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