Nitish Reddy’s redemption night at Eden: From injury blues to SRH hero in Kolkata
For Nitish Kumar Reddy, heading into the match against KKR, it was all about redeeming himself. After a breakout season in 2024 and playing for India, it suddenly seemed like the all-rounder was all over the place in the SRH. He didn’t bowl a lot across the 13 games for Hyderabad, and his place in the Indian team wasn’t a guarantee after his string of injuries.
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But on April 2, at the Eden Gardens, everything changed. The all-rounder first stepped up with a brilliant knock of 39 and stitched together an 82-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen to help SRH score 226 in the first innings. Then, when the chase from KKR was at its crucial point, he came in to dismiss Anukul Roy and then got the big wicket of Rinku Singh to seal the game for his side. He ended with bowling figures of two for 17 runs.
Speaking after the win and being adjudged as the Player Of The Match, Nitish said he was eagerly waiting for such a performance and was happy to deliver at the right time.
“I mean, it is very good. It is just the match-winning performance that I was waiting for a long time. Thankfully, I have delivered it at the right time. Even with my bowling, I got some confidence in myself as well,” said Nitish.
HOW NITISH PUTS AWAY NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
In 2025 itself, Nitish suffered three separate injuries that hampered his progress and ended his England and Australia tours prematurely. This came after an IPL 2025, where he scored just 182 runs and picked up two wickets.
Nitish admitted he had too many negative thoughts last season in his mind along with the injuries. However, he went back to the drawing board and worked on his bowling and everything is coming to plan.
“It is just me trying to be positive. There have been too many negative thoughts in my mind because the last season didn’t go my way, and I had too many injuries. I didn’t bowl last season. I know I worked on my bowling a little bit. I got a break before the IPL season. I worked really hard on my bowling. It is really paying off. When you work hard, and it shows off on the ground, it feels happy. I am happy enough,” said Nitish.
“I am feeling very good. Thanks to the trainers and the physios who have been taking care of me. I mean, my body is feeling fit now.”
The win gives SRH momentum heading into their clash against LSG on 5th April.
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