From Struggles to Stardom: The Rise of Nitish Reddy

Nitish Reddy's journey from a carefree cricketer to a promising all-rounder for India is a story of transformation and determination. The turning point came when he witnessed his father’s tears, a painful reminder of their financial hardships. That moment ignited a fire within the young cricketer, pushing him to take the game seriously. His dedication bore fruit during his impressive debut for India in the first Test against Australia at Perth, where he scored 41 and 38 runs against a formidable bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Adding a wicket to his performance, Reddy contributed significantly to India’s resounding 295-run victory.

Reflecting on his early years, Reddy admitted that he wasn’t initially committed to cricket. He revealed that his father’s sacrifices, including quitting his job to support his dreams, made him realise the gravity of the situation. Reddy shared how seeing his father cry over financial struggles pushed him to work harder. “I couldn’t let my father make sacrifices while I treated cricket as mere fun,” he said. He dedicated his first jersey to his father, a gesture that filled him with pride as he saw his father’s happiness.

The 21-year-old is expected to retain his spot for the Pink-ball Test in Adelaide after a stellar performance in the warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI, where he smashed 42 off 32 balls. In the second innings at Perth, he partnered with his idol, Virat Kohli, adding an unbroken 77-run stand that fulfilled a childhood dream. Kohli had handed Reddy his maiden Test cap, a moment he cherished deeply.

Reddy fondly recalled taking a selfie with Kohli and Anushka Sharma at the 2018 BCCI awards. 

"This was a safety photo, at the time he (Virat Kohli) was so famous. I felt that if I don't get a chance for a photo later, let's take a picture now."

"It's reminding me of my childhood memories. From childhood, I was a huge fan of Virat. I used to watch every match of his, so that he scores a hundred and celebrates it."

Playing alongside his hero, Reddy was thrilled to witness Kohli’s 81st century during their partnership.

Advice from KL Rahul also played a pivotal role in easing Reddy’s nerves before his debut. Rahul suggested he slow the game down when things felt overwhelming on the field, a tip that Reddy found immensely helpful. He explained how shadow practice and visualising bowlers helped him stay composed in high-pressure matches.

"I just want to maintain my hunger for good performances. I personally feel I do good in three dimensions, and want to help the team whatever they want from me, so that's what I want to just focus on."

Looking ahead, Reddy hopes to make the most of the pink ball’s swing and continue his journey as a valuable asset for the team.

From humble beginnings to standing tall on the international stage, Nitish Reddy’s story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of dreams.