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For Nitish Kumar Reddy, 20, this last week has been unlike any other. Four nights ago, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings, and the Andhra all-rounder scored an undefeated eight balls fourteen. On Tuesday, however, he was more influential as he struck a match-changing 37-ball 64 to turn a struggling Sunrisers innings from 64 for 4 to 182 for 9.
His batting contribution wasn’t the only important factor. With Punjab Kings attempting a comeback, Nitish, a lively medium-pace bowler in the mid-130s, removed Jitesh Sharma in the 16th over.
Even more spectacular than the wicket was the way he set himself up, sending Jitesh hacking in the direction of the longer boundary after pitching a slower bouncer into the pitch. Nitish completed with three overs and 1 for 33. It makes sense why skipper Pat Cummins was so happy with Nitish’s performance.
“He was awesome,” Cummins said. “Straight to the top of the order [in this game], was fantastic in the field, bowled three overs too. To get us to 180 off his bat, it was amazing.”
Although Nitish doesn’t seem to say much, he seems happy to be able to help. He most likely only got the chance because Sunrisers decided Abhishek Sharma was too good to bat at No. 3 because to his form. Abhishek made a big impression against CSK with a 12-ball 37 to set the tone for their chase of 166, which they easily accomplished with 11 balls remaining while Mayank Agarwal was ill.
Because of that performance, the team management might have been persuaded to stick with Abhishek and Travis Head at the top, which would have allowed Nitish to hold onto his spot even though Agarwal was declared fit for this game. Nitish returned the favour by hitting four fours and five sixes in a back-to-the-wall knockout.
“For me, it is a big contribution for my team and myself,” Nitish said at the presentation. “I have been talking to myself that I have to believe in myself and that I have to be there [for the team]. The seamers were bowling well, so I did not want to take them on. When the spinners came on, I wanted to attack them and that is what I did.”