Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey has moved quickly from an IPL breakthrough and a Test century in Australia to repeated injury setbacks. His latest three-wicket spell shows why India have continued to invest in him.
Reddy returned his T20I-best figures of 3 for 24 in three overs against Afghanistan in Delhi on September 15. India restricted Afghanistan to 159 for eight and chased the target with seven wickets and 31 balls remaining. Reddy was named Player of the Match. View the match scorecard.
The rise | The injuries | The comeback
The rise
The 2024 IPL changed Reddy’s career. He scored 303 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad, won the Emerging Player award and soon earned an India call-up. His all-round 74 and two wickets against Bangladesh confirmed that he could influence a T20I with both skills.
The defining moment arrived at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December 2024. Batting at No. 8, he made 114 against Australia and turned a difficult innings into a fightback. The ICC described it as his maiden Test century.
Injuries interrupt the momentum
Progress was repeatedly interrupted. A side strain ruled him out of the England T20I series in January 2025. A left knee injury then ended his 2025 Test tour of England early. In June 2026, a sore left thigh kept him out of an ODI before another injury absence followed. The BCCI injury update and its England tour update show how often his momentum was checked.
For a young seam-bowling all-rounder, the challenge was not only physical. Reddy said he focused on staying positive, spending time with friends and family, and completing his recovery properly. He also credited the team management for maintaining its trust in him.
Rising again
The Afghanistan series marked another restart. Reddy had initially been selected subject to fitness clearance, but his 3 for 24 helped India seal the series with a match to spare. His first ball in each of his three overs brought a wicket, a sharp reminder of the value he offers as a sixth bowling option. Watch Reddy discuss patience, positivity and performance on BCCI.tv.
One spell does not erase his injury history, but it does restore momentum. If his workload is managed carefully, Reddy’s batting power and developing seam bowling can still make him an important all-format option for India.
