Young Nitish Kumar Reddy may not yet be a familiar name across India, but if he continues to showcase the talent he has demonstrated over the past two weeks, it will not be long before he garners significant attention. In Australia, he has already gained a degree of fame for his infectious smile and humble demeanor, as well as for his remarkable shot-making abilities, particularly highlighted during his performance at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Although not a direct product of the IPL, Nitish has utilized that platform as a launchpad for greater achievements. He has already provided glimpses of his adaptability to Test cricket during his debut in Perth, where he delivered two substantial innings—one when India was struggling and another when his team aimed to accelerate towards a declaration. In his first innings, he adeptly targeted Nathan Lyon, recognizing that the seasoned off-spinner was lacking drift, making him susceptible to being driven over the off-side or reverse-swept. Just two days later, he dismissed the Australians' defensive lines with a powerful 38 not out off 27 balls.

For Nitish, Test cricket seems to be a nonchalant affair.

However, it should indeed be a significant milestone. It is questionable whether, just eight months ago, Nitish would have envisioned making his debut by year’s end, especially in Australia. At that time, he had participated in only 21 first-class matches, with an average in the low twenties. Then came IPL 2024, where he made a remarkable impact, emerging as one of the standout players for the finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad. His performance caught the attention of key selectors, leading to his inclusion in the Test squad, thanks to a rare combination of skills in Indian cricket—his ability to bowl at a brisk pace while also batting effectively and attractively.

It is remarkable how swiftly Nitish has adapted to Test cricket. While his bowling remains a work in progress, it may take some time before he establishes himself as a reliable third seamer. However, his batting is nothing short of impressive, transcending the expectations set by the IPL, where aggressive play is the norm.

Nitish Reddy's counter-attack that no one saw coming

Nitish entered the first Test at a precarious score of 73 for six on day one and contributed 41 runs, guiding India to a total of 150. The circumstances were not markedly different this time, as his team struggled at 87 for five. In the absence of Washington Sundar, he was elevated to a higher batting position and justified this promotion with a commendable and adaptable performance. While Rishabh Pant and R. Ashwin were at the crease, Nitish chose to play conservatively. However, when India found themselves at 141 for eight, he recognized the necessity to take on a more prominent role.

Initially, he declined singles during the early stages of an over, even as his debut captain Jasprit Bumrah advanced down the pitch. Nitish was selective in his shot-making, not hesitating to target even the most accomplished bowlers in the opposition. Despite Mitchell Starc claiming five of the first eight wickets, Nitish confidently stepped forward to a full delivery from the left-arm pacer, launching it over the cover boundary for six. This moment evoked memories of a similar shot played by KL Rahul against Pat Cummins at the same venue in 2018, when Rahul was already an established Test player with centuries in Australia and England. In contrast, Nitish's performance left spectators in awe and excitement.

However, whether this was the pinnacle of his innings remains debatable. Shortly after his stunning six off Starc, Nitish shifted his focus to Scott Boland, who had famously taken six wickets for seven runs on his debut during the Boxing Day Test of 2021 against England. After a shaky start in his first Test in 17 months, Boland found his rhythm, but Nitish responded by executing a remarkable reverse scoop that soared over third man. Boland halted in his tracks, gazing at Nitish with admiration, a sentiment shared by the 50,186 captivated fans in attendance. This young talent undoubtedly possesses exceptional batting skills.

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