Nitish Kumar Reddy recalls maiden India call-up, says he will not let the setback demoralize him

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has opened up about the missed opportunity to represent India in international cricket. His father, Mutyala Reddy, made a lot of sacrifices, including leaving his job at Hindustan Zinc to focus on making his son a cricketer.

However, years of patience, sacrifice, and hard work finally paid off when Mutyala’s son broke into the Indian cricket team. The talented all-rounder from Andhra Pradesh caught the national selectors' eyes following a stellar IPL 2024 season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Nitish Kumar Reddy opens up about missed opportunity to represent India

Reddy had received a maiden call-up to the Indian team for the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, but fate had other plans, as a hernia niggle halted his and his father’s dream to sport the national colors. Well, Nitish’s selection for Team India was a moment of immense pride for his family, particularly his father.

The youngster said that the news of his India selection was a cherished moment for his family, bringing tears of joy to his father. Unfortunately, due to the injury, Nitish was unable to be part of India’s ongoing five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. However, this setback did not diminish his spirit or determination.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Nitish said that he has accepted the situation, as injuries are part of an athlete’s life, saying he is focusing on the future and stressing his determination to not let this setback demoralize him, with his ultimate goal being to sport an India jersey.

Nitish aims to continue working hard and grab future opportunities. He is committed to overcoming this setback and making his mark in international cricket, saying he can’t change whatever has happened but will make sure to be ready for the next chance.

Accepting setbacks and looking forward: Nitish Kumar Reddy on India call-up

Nitish Kumar Reddy was quoted as saying by News18 CricketNext: “I had this feeling that I would be getting a chance in the Zimbabwe series. And I got that short call and I didn’t know what to do. I straightaway called my father and he literally started crying… like happy tears. Even my mom was so happy.”

Reddy added, “Unfortunately, because of this injury, I’m not a part of this Zimbabwe tour. But it’s a part of an athlete’s life. You have to accept whatever happens. If you ask me, this is not the point where I can stop. There are a lot of matches as well coming. I want to focus. I don’t want to demoralize myself. I want to focus on the future. What happened has happened. We can’t change it, right?”

Despite an injury preventing Reddy from making his India debut in Zimbabwe, the talented cricketer remains optimistic about his bright future. He said that this call-up marked the beginning of his journey, and he is determined to continue working hard as he aims to excel in every opportunity he receives, letting his performances speak for themselves.

With a focus on consistent improvement, Reddy believes that maintaining his form and dedication will naturally lead to further selections for the Indian cricket team.