In the dynamic world of Indian cricket, where the search for multi-faceted talent is relentless, a strong voice has emerged advocating for a promising young all-rounder. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has thrown his considerable weight behind Nitish Kumar Reddy, urging India’s cricketing hierarchy to show unwavering faith in him, even if he encounters initial setbacks. Pathan’s impassioned plea highlights the critical need for a reliable backup to the indispensable Hardik Pandya and underscores the long-term vision required to nurture such a talent.

Irfan Pathan’s Conviction: A Hardik Pandya in the Making?

Irfan Pathan, a decorated all-rounder himself, possesses an astute understanding of what it takes to thrive in that demanding role. His assessment of Nitish Kumar Reddy, following his performances in the recent ODI series against New Zealand, is both blunt and insightful. Pathan firmly believes that Reddy ‘should’ve played the New Zealand ODI series from the start,’ indicating an early recognition of his potential.

Reddy’s outing in the third and final ODI in Indore, despite India’s defeat, was a significant talking point. Pathan specifically praised Reddy’s knock of 53 runs off 57 balls, which included two fours and two sixes. He noted how Reddy ‘showed he had the potential to play big shots and can rotate strike,’ a crucial skill set for any modern white-ball batter. An 88-run partnership with the legendary Virat Kohli further underscored Reddy’s composure and ability to bat with experienced campaigners under pressure.

Beyond his batting prowess, Reddy’s bowling also caught Pathan’s eye. The former all-rounder highlighted Reddy’s ability to ‘touch speeds of 135’ kmph, describing it as a ‘decent speed.’ This combination of power-hitting and respectable pace bowling forms the crux of Pathan’s argument for Reddy being a viable ‘backup to Hardik Pandya.’ The instruction from Pathan is clear and emphatic: ‘Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a good all-rounder.’

Nitish Kumar Reddy: A Glimpse into a Promising Career

The faith placed in Nitish Kumar Reddy by someone of Irfan Pathan’s stature is not without basis. Reddy’s career trajectory, as detailed in the original report, shows a young player making significant strides across formats. He notably broke into India’s T20I and Test sides in 2024, a testament to his versatility and rapid development.

A particular highlight of his burgeoning career was finishing 2024 with a century in the prestigious Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia. This achievement on one of cricket’s grandest stages speaks volumes about his temperament and ability to perform under pressure. His Test record currently stands at 396 runs in 10 matches at an average of 26.40, including that memorable hundred. With the ball in Tests, he has scalped 8 wickets at an economy rate of 4.25, demonstrating his all-round utility in the longest format as well.

In the ODI format, which is the immediate context of Pathan’s remarks, Reddy has appeared in 4 matches, scoring 100 runs at an average of 33.33, with one half-century to his name. The fact that he played instead of Washington Sundar in Rajkot earlier in the series indicates the team management’s willingness to explore his options, paving the way for his decent outing in Indore.

The Enduring Search for a Pace-Bowling All-Rounder

India’s cricketing landscape has, for years, been defined by an earnest quest for genuine pace-bowling all-rounders. The void created by the absence or injury of Hardik Pandya often sends ripples through the team’s balance, particularly in white-ball cricket. Pandya’s ability to provide crucial overs with the ball and unleash game-changing power-hitting with the bat makes him an almost irreplaceable asset.

This enduring search underscores why Pathan’s advocacy for Reddy is so pertinent. A player who can consistently bowl at 135 kmph and contribute vital runs down the order offers tactical flexibility, allowing for different team combinations and reducing the burden on specialist bowlers and batters. Reddy’s reported ability to play ‘big shots easily, whether it’s the pull shot or playing straight,’ combined with his decent pace, positions him as a strong candidate to fill this crucial role for India in the coming years.

The ‘Persistence’ Imperative: Nurturing Raw Talent

Irfan Pathan’s most critical advice – ‘even if he fails, the management should persist with him’ – strikes at the heart of player development. International cricket is a demanding arena, and young players, regardless of their talent, are bound to experience periods of struggle. The history of cricket is replete with examples of players who, initially faltering, went on to achieve greatness because they were afforded the time and consistent backing needed to grow into their roles.

Developing a complete all-rounder is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks in cricket. It requires honing two distinct skill sets under immense pressure, maintaining physical fitness, and developing mental fortitude. Such a process is rarely linear and demands patience from selectors and the team management. Providing a ‘long rope’ allows a player like Reddy to learn from his mistakes, adapt to the pace and demands of international cricket, and eventually unlock his full potential. Without this persistence, India risks discarding promising talent too soon, perpetuating the very problem of an all-rounder shortage.

Beyond Reddy: The New Zealand Series Context

While Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performance was a positive takeaway, the third ODI in Indore saw New Zealand clinch their first-ever ODI series win in India with a 41-run victory over the hosts. This historic achievement for the Kiwis was powered by magnificent centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137*) and Glenn Phillips (106), which propelled New Zealand to a formidable total of 337/8.

For India, bowlers like Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh managed to pick up three wickets each, but the target proved too steep. Despite an incredible ‘lone warrior’ century from Virat Kohli and a commendable 99-run stand with lower-order batter Harshit Rana, who scored his maiden ODI fifty, India fell short. The series result provides a stark reminder of the intensity of international cricket and the need for every player, including emerging talents like Reddy, to rise to the occasion.

The Road Ahead: Investing in India’s All-Round Future

Irfan Pathan’s advocacy for Nitish Kumar Reddy is more than just an endorsement for an individual player; it’s a strategic call for India’s cricketing future. In an era where multi-utility cricketers are invaluable, especially in the shortest formats, identifying and nurturing a pace-bowling all-rounder capable of stepping into Hardik Pandya’s shoes, or even complementing him, is paramount.

Reddy’s early career highlights, combined with his demonstrated skills, present a compelling case. The challenge for India’s team management now is to heed Pathan’s advice: provide the consistent backing, the opportunities, and the patience required for Nitish Kumar Reddy to evolve into the complete all-rounder India desperately needs. The investment in his potential today could yield significant dividends for Indian cricket for years to come.

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