Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta has lavished praise on Nitish Kumar Reddy after Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a comprehensive 33-run win against Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Reddy scored a fine cameo of 29 runs off just 13 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes. He added 63 runs off 32 balls with Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 69 runs off 43 balls. SRH were able to post a par score of 234 runs on the board after Shreyas Iyer decided to bowl first.
Furthermore, Reddy dismissed in-form Prabhsimran Singh with Pat Cummins taking a good catch and he returned with figures of 1-11 in two overs he bowled.
Reddy has scored 222 runs in nine innings of IPL 2026 at an average of 31.71 and a strike rate of 166.91. Moreover, he has scalped seven wickets in 10 matches of the season.
Deep Dasgupta said on ESPN Cricinfo, “That’s a very valid point – how we perceive the impact [of the all-rounder]. I mean that is changing and I hope that keeps changing and next season it gets… the role of the all-rounder is recognised more as we go forward. What is heartening to see is even though there is this impact sub option, he has kind of found a niche for himself as an all-rounder.
“We don’t get to see too many all-rounders in this tournament. I think Nitish is the only proper all-rounder. Bats in the middle order, bowls more often than not at least three to four overs. So, yeah, a proper all-rounder.”
Dasgupta reckons SRH can afford to play with an extra batter as Reddy is delivering with the ball.
“If you’re looking at how most of the teams are playing high-risk, high-reward cricket, it always helps to start, even when you’re in your batting XI, with five bowling options and then see how it goes. So you literally are looking at almost nine batters then. If you start with five bowlers and that’s where the all-rounders, somebody like Nitish, are so, so important. So you can actually get an extra batter in there knowing very well that this guy can give you four overs.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
