Photo via Hindustan Times

For all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, New Zealand is a tour of reckoning

India’s 23-year-old pace all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy faces his biggest test yet on New Zealand soil, where his dual role as batter and bowler will be scrutinized under pressure. Selected for all three formats of the tour—beginning with T20Is—Reddy must prove he can replace Hardik Pandya as the team’s go-to all-rounder, especially with the 2027 World Cup looming.

His batting has shown flashes of promise, including a 114 against Australia’s elite attack in Melbourne and a 74 off 34 balls in a T20I against Bangladesh, but consistency has been elusive. In 10 Tests, his highest score since debuting in 2024 is 43, and his bowling—while occasionally disruptive—has yet to deliver the impact India needs, with just two spells of over 10 overs in his career, including a 2/62 against England at Lord’s and a 1/65 in Brisbane.

Injuries and limited opportunities have slowed his development, but the Kiwi tour offers a chance to turn expectations into reality, particularly in ODIs where he’s been given more responsibility in recent months.

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