Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) rising all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has spoken highly of Pat Cummins’ leadership ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 3 in Kolkata. The Andhra cricketer lauded Cummins’ ability to stay composed under pressure, emphasizing how the Australian’s calm demeanor helps the entire team believe in themselves and stage comebacks in tough situations.
Reddy, who had a breakout IPL season in 2024, played a key role in SRH’s journey to the final and was even recognized with the Emerging Player of the Season award. His stellar performances earned him an India call-up, and he credits Cummins for shaping him into the player he is today. According to Reddy, playing under the Australian skipper has been a learning experience that has instilled confidence in him and his teammates.
“He is an extremely calm and composed leader. The way he handles pressure is remarkable. When you see your captain managing things so smoothly, it instills confidence in the entire group. His composure helps us believe that we can always make a comeback. As a captain, he is brilliant, and I truly enjoy playing under his leadership,” Nitish Reddy shared in an interview with JioStar.
ALSO READ: Travis Head on His Love-Hate Relationship with Indian Fans: ‘It Doesn’t Spur Me On Anymore’
The 21-year-old also discussed how his approach to batting has evolved in the high-pressure IPL environment. He acknowledged that just as bowlers analyze his game, he now studies theirs to gain an edge. While his overall approach remains the same, he adapts to situations based on match demands. Reflecting on his most challenging opponent, Reddy recalled how facing South African pacer Kagiso Rabada at Punjab’s home ground last season tested his abilities.
“I guess I have started understanding the bowlers better now. Just as they study my game, I analyze theirs too. My approach will remain the same, but I will adapt to situations as required. Last year, I didn’t play the first four matches, but when I did, I found Kagiso Rabada particularly challenging. When we played against Punjab, he was very expressive on that wicket, and facing him was a tough challenge for me,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Nitish Reddy expressed his excitement about the possibility of facing India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. He considers it a thrilling challenge to test himself against one of the world’s best bowlers and believes that competing with elite players like Bumrah enhances the thrill of the game.
“I would be grateful for the challenge. He is one of the best bowlers in the world right now, and facing him would be an exciting contest. If I manage to score some runs against him, I would be very happy. Competing against top bowlers like Bumrah is what makes the game exciting,” Nitish Reddy stated.
Despite his personal ambitions, Reddy insists that his primary goal is winning the IPL title with SRH. He sees last season’s near miss as “unfinished business” and remains focused on helping his team secure their second championship trophy.
ALSO READ: SRH Coach Ryan Cook Confident In Mohammed Shami’s Comeback Against KKR
“To be honest, I never set personal goals, even when playing for India or in the IPL last year. The only unfinished business is lifting the trophy. We created history with some records, but our ultimate goal is to win the IPL title and add a second star to SRH’s legacy,” he concluded.
As SRH prepares for another intense IPL season, Reddy’s hunger for success and admiration for Cummins’ leadership could prove crucial in their pursuit of the coveted title.
