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In a remarkable display of talent, Nitish Kumar Reddy etched his name into the record books during the second T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday (October 9) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The young Indian batter played an explosive knock of 74 runs and picked up two wickets with the ball, leading India to a commanding total of 221/9 and securing a series victory.
Nitish Reddy blitz takes India out of hot water
Reddy’s knock was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring 7 sixes and 4 fours. Coming in at a precarious moment with India reeling at 25 for 2, he quickly steadied the ship alongside Rinku Singh, who contributed a solid 53 off 29 balls. Their partnership of 108 runs for the fourth wicket proved pivotal in transforming India’s innings after a shaky start.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India faced early setbacks as openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma fell cheaply. However, Reddy’s explosive approach turned the tide. He reached his maiden T20I half-century in just 27 balls, showcasing his ability to dominate the Bangladesh bowling attack. His aggressive batting style not only lifted the team’s spirits but also set a daunting target for the visitors.
Also WATCH: Nitish Kumar Reddy smashes two back-to-back sixes off Rishad Hossain in the second IND vs BAN T20I
“Grateful for everything”: Nitish Reddy
Reddy returned to pick up the wickets of Mahmudullah and Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the Bangladesh innings. The medium pacer scalped 2/23 in his quota of four overs. With this, he became the first Indian player to score more than 70 runs and take two wickets in a T20 International.
Reddy’s all-round performance was particularly significant given his recent struggles. Just months prior, he was sidelined due to a sports hernia that kept him out of India’s T20I tour of Zimbabwe. His return to fitness and subsequent selection for this series against Bangladesh marked a crucial comeback.
Speaking about his match-winning performance, he said: “Feels great to represent India, feel so proud about this moment. Grateful for everything.”
“I should give credit to captain and coach. They gave me the licence to play fearless cricket. I took my time initially, but after that no-ball [bowled by Mahmudullah] everything went in my favour. It feels great to play for the Indian team. I want to continue in this same way. Want to keep repeating such good performances,” Reddy added in the post-match presentation.
