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In the IPL 2024 season, Nitish Reddy of Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged as a standout all-rounder, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. His stellar performances not only propelled Hyderabad to the tournament final but also earned him accolades as the Emerging Player of the Season.
Reddy’s consistent contributions made him a player to watch, drawing attention from all quarters, including premier batters like Virat Kohli. Reflecting on his experience, Reddy expressed his eagerness to excel in every game, hoping to catch the eye of top players like Kohli, whose notice could potentially open new doors in his cricketing journey.
Nitish Reddy proved to be a crucial asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad throughout IPL 2024, repeatedly rescuing his team with his batting skills. Across 13 matches, he amassed a total of 303 runs, showcasing consistency and reliability under pressure. Additionally, Reddy made significant contributions with the ball, claiming 3 wickets during the tournament.
Expressing his admiration for cricketing icons Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Reddy revealed his fandom for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He recounted a memorable encounter in 2023 where he obtained Kohli’s autograph and a photo, setting his sights on impressing the Indian star with his performances in 2024. Notably, Reddy shared a touching moment when Kohli personally acknowledged him by name during a post-match handshake, highlighting the impact of his efforts in catching the attention of his cricketing idols. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo,
“I admire Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. I’ve been a huge fan of RCB for the last 10 years. In 2023, I had the chance to meet Virat Kohli. I didn’t have much to ask him; I just wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph.
“In 2024, I was hoping to play well against RCB so that Virat Kohli would notice my game. Though I didn’t get to bat in that match, he remembered my name during the post-match handshake. That meant a lot to me.”
In addition, Nitish Reddy shared that he received a congratulatory message from Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya following his standout performances in IPL 2024. Reddy admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the gesture, reflecting on the impact of such recognition from a seasoned player like Pandya. Furthermore, he acknowledged Mumbai Indians skipper Ben Stokes as a major source of inspiration, underscoring the influence of top-level cricketers on his career aspirations.
“Hardik bhai sent me a message saying the intent and energy I was giving on the field was good and to keep respecting the game. He said we would talk soon.
“I was shocked to see his message after the IPL season, especially since he was busy with World Cup duties. Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes are my inspirations for being an all-rounder. I replied, thanking him for his message.”
Following his outstanding performance, Nitish Reddy earned a well-deserved spot in the Indian team for the Zimbabwe tour. Unfortunately, an injury setback forced him to withdraw from the squad, putting his international debut on hold.
