Nitish Kumar Reddy has certainly done himself a huge favour after smashing 74 off just 34 in the second T20I against Bangladesh in New Delhi. The all-rounder has certainly announced himself on the big stage, dishing out a knock to remember for a lifetime. His exceptional performance not only secured India a 2-0 lead but also showcased his immense potential as a future star in Indian cricket for years to come.
Does Nitish end India’s search for Pandya’s successor?
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s aggressive batting style, reminiscent of Hardik Pandya, and his ability to contribute with the ball make him a valuable asset to the team. With the T20 World Cup 2026 in mind, Reddy’s emergence as a phenomenal pace-bowling all-rounder provides a much-needed boost.
India found themselves in early trouble at 41/3 within the powerplay, as Bangladesh’s pacers exploited the conditions with clever variations. However, what followed was a masterclass in modern T20 batting, as Reddy joined forces with the in-form Rinku Singh to orchestrate a game-changing partnership.
Reddy-Rinku masterclass
Initially cautious, Reddy’s innings took flight after a free-hit opportunity, transforming into a relentless assault on the Bangladeshi spinners. The 21-year-old reached his maiden T20I fifty in style, maintaining a strike rate of over 200 for much of his innings. His partnership with Rinku Singh, who crafted a smart 50 off 26 balls, yielded 108 runs in just 49 deliveries, setting the stage for India’s imposing total of 221/9. The innings drew immediate comparisons to Hardik Pandya, India’s premier pace-bowling all-rounder for over a decade. Pandya, who contributed a quick cameo (32 off 19) to bolster the total, must have seen shades of his younger self in Reddy’s fearless approach and ability to turn the game on its head.
Indian bowlers demolish BAN batters again!
Bangladesh’s chase never really took off, as they slumped to 46/4 by the 7th over. Despite an entertaining knock from Mahmudullah, India’s bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the game, eventually bowling out the visitors for 135. It is worthy to mention that Suryakumar Yadav used as many as seven bowling options, with all of them bagging a wicket or two. However, Pandya wasn’t used at all. The flamboyant Baroda all-rounder was busy taking sumptuous catches on the boundary line.
India win 7th consecutive T20I series at home
| Team (against) | Year | Result |
| Australia | 2022 | 2-1 |
| South Africa | 2022 | 2-1 |
| Sri Lanka | 2023 | 2-1 |
| New Zealand | 2023 | 2-1 |
| Australia | 2023 | 4-1 |
| Afghanistan | 2024 | 2-0 |
| BANGLADESH | 2024 | 2-0* |
The current Men’s T20 World Cup champions have been a wrecking ball, especially at home in recent times. Power-packed with talent, India have enjoyed a stellar record. In fact, India have won 87 times out of 127 matches, which is the most by any team since 2019.
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