Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes 23-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy has the potential to become the country’s best white-ball all-rounder over the next 10 years. He said this following the second T20I against New Zealand, played in Christchurch on October 24 as well.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel (Irfan Pathan), he said: “The way Nitish has batted, especially the comfort he has shown under pressure, will give both the team management and the team confidence. Look, I have absolutely no doubt about this. If Nitish Kumar Reddy stays fit, given that he is young, he could become India’s best white-ball all-rounder over the next 10 years.”

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“The reason is that this player has already scored a century in Australia. How many Asian all-rounders have gone to Australia and scored a hundred at the Melbourne Cricket Ground? Nitish Kumar Reddy has achieved that. He has the talent and the ability, and he is now translating that ability into performances during difficult situations,” he further added.

However, Irfan Pathan applauded Nitish Kumar Reddy for his bowling show in the first two T20Is, where he has picked up one wicket while maintaining an economy rate of 10.14 as well.

“The way Nitish Kumar Reddy has bowled in the last two matches has been impressive. He is bowling regularly, and we have seen several good moments from him with the ball, particularly his use of slower deliveries and bouncers. He was also given the opportunity to bowl in the final over of the last match, where he delivered some good balls,” he concluded.