Visakhapatnam: January 9, 2025: Coming back to hometown Visakhapatnam, after a fantastic seam-bowling all-rounder’s coming of age series in Australia by India, one of the hero’s welcomes which Nitish Kumar Reddy faced at the Visakhapatnam airport was in the warmest.
A Hero’s Welcome for Nitish in Visakhapatnam
Nitish was welcomed at the Visakhapatnam airport with a heartwarming reception by excited fans. The all-rounder, who hails from Gajwuaka in Visakhapatnam, was greeted with a large yellow garland and a shower of yellow petals. Fans stood in a queue to capture the glimpse of the heartthrob, as Nitish sat in the front seat of an open jeep, with his father Mutyalu Reddy sitting behind him. It was a joyous occasion, captured by cameras, and lit a special moment for the local hero.
Tough Test Tour of Australia: Batting and Bowling
Nitish Kumar Reddy was an important contributor during India’s recent Test tour of Australia. In five matches, the all-rounder scored 298 runs, with a remarkable average of 37.25. His crowning achievement was his maiden Test century—a brilliant 114 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The century, made even more special by the presence of his family—father Mutyalu, mother Manasa, sister Tejaswi, and uncle Surendra—was a highlight of the tour.
As a bowler, Nitish also impressed, taking five wickets from 44 overs, with his best figures being 2-32. His steady performances and composed demeanor on his debut Test tour garnered praise from former Indian and Australian cricketers, all of whom recognized his potential to be a mainstay in the national side across formats.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Series and Domestic Cricket
Nitish’s good show in Australia should open opportunities for him in India’s cricket calendar. For the five-match T20I series against England, which will begin on January 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the all-rounder might be in line for a game or two. If not chosen, Nitish is likely to play for Andhra in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B matches, which will start with a match against Puducherry on January 23 and then against Rajasthan on January 30.
Before his historic Australian tour, Nitish played for Andhra in their Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat in October 2024, and his solid domestic form remains key to his future selection in India’s national setup.
With his all-round skills and incredible performances at the international level, Nitish Kumar Reddy is all set to find a permanent place in India’s cricketing future. His hero’s welcome in Visakhapatnam testifies how he has been gaining popularity and fulfills the high hopes from the fans regarding his great performances within Indian cricket.
