Is Nitish Kumar Reddy India’s next Hardik Pandya? Dinesh Karthik excited about SRH all-rounder’s potential ahead of T20I debut against Bangladesh

Nitish Kumar Reddy is being touted as the next big thing in India’s plethora of all-rounders. s. Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik has revealed his excitement after the youngster received his maiden India call-up for the upcoming Bangladesh series.

Nitish caught the eyes of the masses at the last Indian Premier League season, representing the eventual runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The local boy was one of franchise’s consistent players leading him to win the ‘Emerging Player’ Award in his second season.

The 21-year-old received his maiden India call-up for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. He is finally set to make his India debut, after missing out on the Zimbabwe tour due to injury.

Ahead of the first T20I on Sunday, Dinesh Karthik has spoken on the Andhra all-rounder’s abilities, in an interview with Cricbuzz.

Click here to make your bets as you watch the thrilling T20I action in the IND vs BAN series

Can Nitish Kumar Reddy replicate Hardik Pandya’s success for Team India?

Despite the exploits in the past 12 months, India’s veteran wicketkeeper, Dinesh Karthik has disagreed with the opinion of putting Nitish Reddy in the same bracket as Hardik Pandya, in terms of all-round abilities.

The 39-year-old has expressed his doubts over Reddy’s bowling abilities. A fully fit Hardik on the other hand, is a sure-shot four-over quota bowler.

However, Karthik believes Reddy makes up for it with his exceptional fielding and batting abilities, calling him “one of the quickest outfielders” in India.

“I wouldn’t put him in the Hardik Pandya mould, and I say that because you are not guaranteed four overs from Nitish Kumar Reddy at the moment,” Karthik stated.

“He could go on to become that [Hardik Pandya-like allrounder]but what we can be very excited about is his batting talent. He is an outstanding fielder – one of the quickest in the country, so that is another major plus.”

MORE: India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I: Where to watch?

What did Dinesh Karthik say about the batting abilities of Nitish Kumar Reddy?

Karthik heaped praises on Nitish Reddy’s batting exploits for SRH in IPL 2024. The Hyderabad-based outfit were one of the most-aggressive batting sides last season, and Reddy lived up to the billing, scoring his first runs in the IPL.

“What I really like about him is – playing for SRH is not easy as a middle-order batter because the tempo with which Head and Abhishek starts is very different to any other IPL team, they just get off to a flyer. What Nitish Reddy did really well was coming and continuing that tempo, and that requires skill.”

Karthik called Nitish as someone who would ‘blossom, if given opportunities’. The BCCI has given Nitish his chance to shine, as the 21-year-old makes his India debut in Gwalior in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Sunday.

“He, again, is a young boy who, if given an opportunity, will blossom for Indian cricket. I am very excited for Nitish Kumar Reddy, after a long time we have seen another cricketer from Andhra so these are all good signs for Indian cricket,” DK concluded while speaking on Cricbuzz.

MORE: Suryakumar Yadav hints at taking captaincy role in IPL