Nitish Kumar Reddy Strengthens Case as India Pace Allrounder

India have spent years hunting for a pace-bowling allrounder who can bat with intent and bowl real overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy is now pushing his name to the front of that queue, and the selectors have noticed. Vegas11 News has followed his rise closely, and the latest signals from the team management are hard to miss.

New Zealand Tour Selection Speaks Volumes

Reddy is one of only two players named in all three squads for India’s New Zealand tour. That says a lot about how highly the think tank rates him. Selectors do not hand out that kind of trust to a player they see as a mere backup.

Morne Morkel Sees an All-Format Allrounder

India bowling coach Morne Morkel believes Reddy has the skills to become the all-format allrounder India have been searching for. He sees him as someone who could eventually step into Hardik Pandya’s shoes.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has gone further, calling Reddy the “natural successor or backup” to Pandya.

From MCG Century to Bowling Rebuild

Reddy made his Test debut on the 2024 tour of Australia. He scored a century at the MCG against an attack featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. His bowling, though, lacked the zip needed to hold a regular place as an allrounder.

He then worked on that weakness. After sessions with UK-based bowling coach Stefan Jones, his pace consistently touched the mid-130kph range, up from the mid-120s.

Bowling Is Where He Has Grown Most

The results have started to show. Against Afghanistan, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz attacking the Indian bowlers, captain Shubman Gill handed Reddy the ball. He finished with figures of 2/31 from four overs.

Reddy knows the competition is tough. When Pandya returns, holding a place in the XI will not be easy. That awareness has pushed him to put in the hard yards on his bowling over the past year.

Pujara Backs His Bowling Credentials

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking to JioStar, said the call between Reddy and Shivam Dube for the New Zealand T20Is should depend on conditions and team balance. If India want a bowling allrounder, Pujara feels Reddy is the better choice because his bowling is stronger than Dube’s.

Can He Match Hardik Pandya?

Not yet, and Reddy would likely say so himself. Pandya’s skill set remains superior to that of any other Indian allrounder. But Reddy is younger, still improving in both batting and bowling, and is an excellent fielder.

What Comes Next

Staying fit and keeping his bowling consistent will decide how far Reddy goes. The New Zealand tour gives him a big stage to show he can deliver for India in all conditions. Vegas11 News will keep tracking his progress as India build towards their next big assignments.