Before the eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fast bowling coach James Franklin praised young Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for his stunning turnaround after a poor 2025 season, saying that he has put “quite a bit of work” into his bowling as well. However, the winner of the game will take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) for the second spot for the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Speaking ahead of the match, Franklin said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “I think last year Nitish probably took a lot of learnings from IPL 2025, and there were a few things, how he did not start exactly how he wanted to. Obviously, there might have been a bit more expectation with having just recently been involved with India. I think he would have taken a lot of learnings from last year’s IPL. So, to come into this year, he has done quite a bit of work on his bowling.”

“His role has obviously been slightly deeper this year as opposed to last year as well, sort of more coming in with maybe six or seven overs to go at number five or six. He has played some unbelievable cameos for us in finishing off innings, and his bowling as well. He has been utilised opening the bowling; he has been utilised in the middle depending on what we foresee being the best match-up for him to enter the game,” he shared.

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“So, his contribution for us this year has been immense, and I think all of us in the group are really, really pleased for him, particularly after a season, maybe last year, where it was a bit more of a struggle for him. He has really bounced back this year,” he again said.

However, Nitish Kumar Reddy has maintained a good strike rate to give SRH an edge while finishing the innings as well. His strike rate in death overs (16-20) of 215.87 has been the third-highest by an Indian batter this year, after Tilak Varma’s 256.66 and Rajat Patidar’s 249.12 as well.

“I think if you look at Nitish, physically he is a wonderful athlete – strong, fast, dynamic, obviously being an allrounder as well, he is fairly involved in games. But away from the actual playing surface, he is incredibly professional with how he looks after himself, so I think he gives himself every chance to be in the best possible position to have that power, and he trains it,” he said.

“I think his preparation throughout this IPL, particularly from a batting point of view, has been very much geared around understanding that he is most likely to come in with four or five overs, six overs to go, and probably at times have to maybe have to hit a six first ball, so we have seen that throughout this season… So at the moment, sort of observing and watching him throughout this IPL, it definitely feels like he has got a real understanding of what he needs to do when he walks to the wicket,” he concluded.