NEW DELHI: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has showered praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad's emerging uncapped all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy, following his stellar performance against Punjab Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024.
Nitish showcased his exceptional talent by smashing a breathtaking 64 off just 37 deliveries while also contributing with the ball by dismissing Jitesh Sharma and taking a crucial catch off Prabhsimran Singh.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra commended Nitish's impact on the game, especially considering Sunrisers' shaky start with the bat.
"The Hyderabad batting stumbled at the start. It seemed at one stage that even 150 might be difficult. However, Nitish Reddy. He was a net bowler with Chennai till last year...and here also he scored runs and decent runs," Chopra stated.
Highlighting the significance of Nitish's role as a finisher, Chopra underscored the evolving trend of Indian players excelling in the closing stages of T20 matches.
"The kid bats well. He has the might. In the first 15 years of this tournament, there were very few Indian finishers. That's why whoever can finish, his price at the auction goes through the roof. However, now you can see players like Rahul Tewatia, Shivam Dube, Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. You can keep Nitish Kumar Reddy also on the same list," Chopra added.
1/9:Punjab Kings suffer narrow loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad
<p>Punjab Kings suffer narrow loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad</p>AFP
2/9:Young Nitish Reddy's Heroic Innings
<p>Young Nitish Reddy showcased remarkable character with a 37-ball 64, guiding Sunrisers Hyderabad to a thrilling two-run victory over Punjab Kings in a see-sawing IPL encounter.</p>AFP
3/9:SRH's Recovery
<p>Sent in to bat, Reddy's explosive knock rescued SRH from a precarious position of 66 for four in the 10th over, propelling them to a competitive total of 182/9.</p>AFP
4/9:PBKS Fight Back
<p>Punjab Kings fought valiantly in their chase, with Shashank Singh (46*) and Ashutosh Sharma (33*) forging a crucial 66-run partnership, keeping their hopes alive till the very end.</p>AFP
5/9:Last Over Drama
<p>Despite needing 29 runs in the final over, SRH's victory was far from assured as Shashank and Ashutosh mounted a daring challenge, coming within touching distance of an improbable win.</p>AFP
6/9:Reddy's Explosive Batting
<p>Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Reddy's innings was studded with five sixes and four fours, anchoring SRH's innings with his aggressive strokeplay.</p>AFP
7/9:Arshdeep Singh's Brilliance
<p>Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball for PBKS, claiming impressive figures of 4/29, yet SRH managed to post a formidable total against all odds.</p>AFP
8/9:Dhawan's Captaincy
<p>Despite early setbacks in decision making, PBKS skipper Shikhar Dhawan led from the front, concocting the plans for key dismissals and marshalling his troops effectively in the field.</p>AFP
9/9:SRH's Defensive Effort
<p>SRH's bowlers held their nerve in the face of PBKS's late surge, ultimately clinching victory in a nail-biting finish, thanks to Reddy's heroic performance and collective team effort.</p>AFPNitish's remarkable performance etched his name in IPL history as the first uncapped player to achieve the feat of scoring 50-plus runs, taking a wicket, and securing a catch in a single match. At just 20 years and 319 days old, he also became the second youngest player to register a half-century in the IPL, following Priyam Garg.
(With inputs from ANI)
