Nitish Kumar Reddy's grooming credited to Pat Cummins rather than Gautam Gambhir from Pakistan

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stars Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy are undoubtedly the future superstars of the Indian cricket team.

Abhishek and Reddy both are currently playing for India in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at home.

Since the IPL 2024, there has been a lot of buzz about the duo, thanks to their explosive performance for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

On the back of their sensational IPL 2024 show, Abhishek Sharma and Reddy both earned their maiden call-up to the Indian cricket team for the Zimbabwe tour.

SRH duo Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhishek Sharma's IPL success translates to international glory for India

However, the young all-rounder couldn’t make it to the Zimbabwe tour due to an injury, but the Punjab lad all-rounder Sharma shined brightly with a ton.

Now, it was Nitish Kumar Reddy’s turn, as he grabbed all the spotlight with his mind-blowing all-round show in the second T20I.

On Wednesday, October 9, Reddy delivered fantastic performances with both the bat and ball and won the Player of the Match award after India won the game by 86 runs against Bangladesh to clinch the three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

The right-handed batter smoked four boundaries and seven sixes during his splendid knock of 74 runs off 34 balls in the second T20I against Bangladesh.

Then, the India and SRH all-rounder finished with brilliant figures of 2/23 in his four overs to contribute significantly to India’s victory.

On the other hand, Abhishek clean-bowled Towhid Hridoy in his two-over spell, giving away 10 runs. He could manage only 15 runs in the second T20I.

Coincidentally, Abhishek ran out by Hridoy for 16 runs in the first T20I in Gwalior. However, he couldn’t make a significant impact in both games.

Basit Ali applauds Pat Cummins' role in the rise of Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy

After Team India took a 2-0 lead in the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali recently shared his thoughts on the Australia and SRH captain Pat Cummins' influence on Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

The former Pakistan selector has pointed out that Cummins played a pivotal role in nurturing the talent of these two rising stars at the SRH.

Cummins took over the SRH captaincy ahead of the 2024 IPL, leading the team to the final, where they lost the title to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Basit said that it would be unfair if people wouldn’t recognize Cummins’ role in Reddy and Abhishek’s growth, as the way he supported and gave confidence to these rising stars had an unbelievable impact in shaping up their careers.

Basit Ali said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “A special mention to Pat Cummins. It would be unfair if I didn't take his name. The way he has supported Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the IPL, we must address that.”

Gautam Gambhir will also bring Umran Malik back: Basit Ali

He also believes that the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir would certainly bring the pace sensation Umran Malik back to the Indian team because of his love for the genuine pace.

Ali signed off by saying, “I feel that Gautam Gambhir will also bring Umran Malik back. He will definitely consider him because Gautam likes genuine fast bowlers.”