Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Nitish Kumar Reddy after the young all-rounder played a pivotal role in India's victory over Afghanistan in the first ODI in Dharamsala on Saturday. The rain-shortened 25-over contest saw India captain Shubman Gill opt to bowl first after winning the toss. Afghanistan made a blistering start, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's explosive century of 102 runs off just 51 deliveries. However, Reddy's pinpoint yorker dismissed Gurbaz and shifted the momentum in India's favor.
Reddy's Impactful Bowling
Reddy finished with figures of 2 for 31 from his four overs, with the wicket of Gurbaz proving decisive. India fought back impressively, bowling Afghanistan out for 194 before completing a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Gavaskar, speaking to JioStar, emphasized the significance of Reddy's yorker. “Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up a huge wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a perfect yorker. If you can nail yorkers like that, you become a valuable asset,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar Highlights Tactical Flexibility
The former India captain noted how Reddy's yorker changed the course of the innings after Gurbaz attempted to create room for himself only to see his stumps shattered. “Every time he tried something fancy, it went for runs. But every time he went back to the yorker, it worked,” Gavaskar added. He also stressed the tactical flexibility Reddy offers through his all-round abilities. “India now have a player in Nitish Kumar Reddy who can fill the role of a fifth or sixth bowler. Depending on the pitch and match situation, he gives the captain and selectors flexibility. 'Pick me as a batter, pick me as a bowler, I am ready.' That is a huge plus for any team,” Gavaskar said.
Reddy's Rise as an All-Rounder
Reddy's rise has gathered momentum over the past year. While he has long been regarded as a promising batter, his bowling has developed significantly and is becoming an increasingly valuable part of his game. The 2026 IPL season reflected that progress. Alongside scoring 302 runs, Reddy claimed eight wickets and regularly delivered key breakthroughs for his side. It also turned out to be his most productive IPL campaign across the four seasons he has featured in so far, further strengthening his case as a genuine all-round option for India.
