Nitish Kumar Reddy Retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad, Expresses Gratitude

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed his gratitude to the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for their unwavering support and has pledged to repay their trust. Reddy, a fast-bowling all-rounder, was retained by SRH for INR 6 crore, marking a significant milestone for the Andhra Pradesh native.

Reddy's journey to the IPL began in 2023 when he was acquired by SRH for INR 20 lakh. Despite limited opportunities in his debut season, he showcased his potential in IPL 2024, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award. His impressive performances, including a match-winning 64 against Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 76 against Rajasthan Royals, propelled him to the Indian national team.

Reddy's retention by SRH is a testament to his rapid rise in the cricketing world. It also marks a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh, as Reddy becomes the first player from the state to secure an IPL retention.

In an exclusive interview, Reddy expressed his pride in representing his region and his commitment to the SRH franchise. "Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I'm proud to represent my region when playing for the team in the IPL," he said.

Reddy credits the IPL with transforming his life. "Everything has just changed like a rapid fire. Like in one year from nowhere to being something, I really feel that IPL is a big stage where my talent came out and everyone knows me now," he said.

The all-rounder emphasized the importance of hard work and preparation, particularly in developing his power-hitting game. He also highlighted the role of shadow practicing in improving his downswing.

Reflecting on his journey, Reddy expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by his father, Mutyala. "When he took the decision to retire early to focus on my cricket, everyone turned upon us. But once you don't have the government job, people treat you so differently and I saw that," he said.

Reddy's father played a pivotal role in his development, traveling with him to matches and providing support. "I still remember all these things my father did for me in becoming what I am," he said.

For Reddy, the joy of cricket lies in the nostalgia of his childhood days spent on the field. "For me, whenever you play cricket, you should not be feeling that you should take the pressure or something like that. You should just enjoy being in the game, as that's how everything started for me," he said.

Tags: #NitishKumarReddy, #SunrisersHyderabad, #IPLRetention, #AndhraPradesh, #EmergingPlayer