I felt like I had to improve the consistency in my bowling: Nitish Reddy

By Admin

11 Jul, 2025

A Memorable Debut Day at Lord's

Nitish Reddy made a strong statement on the opening day of the Lord's Test, emerging as India’s highest wicket-taker with a performance that surprised many and delighted fans. At just 22 years old, Reddy was brought into the attack as early as the 14th over and delivered a spell of disciplined and impactful bowling. He bowled 14 overs matching senior pacer Mohammed Siraj and claimed the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, both in his very first over.

Building Consistency Through Hard Work

Despite being the slowest among India’s four seamers on the day, Reddy impressed with his ability to swing the ball and maintain a tight line and length. He revealed that consistency in bowling has been a major focus area for him on this tour, which started with India A games and intra-squad fixtures.

“After the Australia tour, I felt like I had to improve my bowling and the consistency the most that's what I looked at,” Reddy said. His determination to evolve as a bowler has been evident through his recent performances and the progress he’s made under the guidance of some of the game’s finest minds.

Learning from the Best: Pat Cummins and Morne Morkel

Reddy spoke fondly about his interactions with IPL captain Pat Cummins, who played a significant role in shaping his bowling mindset. “Pat has been brilliant in Australia. I asked him for some tips, and he told me how to go through situations. It was a great experience sharing thoughts with him.”

He also praised the Indian team's bowling coach Morne Morkel, under whom he’s seen noticeable progress. “Working with Morne Morkel has been great. We've been focusing on my consistency, since I can swing the ball both ways. We’ve been working hard on all areas,” Reddy added.

Overcoming Injury and Regaining Rhythm

The journey hasn't been easy. Earlier this year, Reddy suffered a side strain during a T20I against England, which impacted his bowling workload. During the IPL, he didn’t bowl at the start of the season and only resumed in the nets toward the end, managing just five competitive overs.

“After the injury, it was tough to get back into rhythm. It was hurting a bit. But at the end of the IPL, I got back into my bowling and felt great again,” Reddy shared.

Focused on the Team's Needs

On his Lord’s performance, Reddy remained humble and team-centric. “I just wanted to enjoy the moment and bowl according to what the team needed from me. I guess that's exactly what I did, and I’m pretty happy with how I bowled today. I just want to continue tomorrow and pick up some more wickets.”

Conclusion

Nitish Reddy’s dedication to refining his craft, even through injury setbacks, and his willingness to learn from legends like Cummins and Morkel, are already paying off. His Lord’s performance is a testament to his growth as a bowler and it’s just the beginning of what promises to be a bright career in Indian cricket.