India’s young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy stunned cricket fans and pundits alike on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s, as he emerged as the unlikely hero with the ball. Introduced as the fourth seamer in India’s lineup, Reddy picked up the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in his very first over—turning heads with his control and swing in English conditions.
What stood out even more than the wickets was Reddy’s post-day revelation: the influence of Pat Cummins, his IPL captain at SunRisers Hyderabad, and the guidance of India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel in shaping his rise as a fast bowler.
The Cummins Influence: Simple Yet Impactful Advice
Speaking to reporters after stumps, Reddy revealed that during the IPL, he had sought Cummins’ advice on bowling in foreign conditions.
“I asked Pat about the difference between bowling in Australia and England,” Reddy said.
“He told me: ‘It’s not going to be a big change. Just watch the weather conditions and play your game. Try to learn as much as you can.’ That really helped me mentally.”
Reddy’s performance at Lord’s reflects not just skill, but maturity—qualities that Cummins himself is known for.
Morne Morkel’s Hands-On Coaching Bearing Fruit
Alongside Cummins’ tips, Nitish Reddy credited Morne Morkel for the technical transformation in his bowling.
“Working with Morne Morkel has been great. He’s been helping me for a couple of weeks now. We’re focusing on consistency and swing both ways, and I’m really enjoying it,” Reddy shared.
He added that while he has been working hard on his bowling for nearly two years, it is only now—with proper guidance and belief—that results are aligning.
First Lord’s Test, First Big Breakthrough
In a lineup featuring the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, it was Reddy who grabbed the spotlight. After an hour of struggle on a green pitch, he broke through with two crucial wickets in his very first over. Despite this being his first tour to England, he managed to extract more swing and bowl tighter lines than the senior pacers.
He bowled close to 14 overs on Day 1, impressing not just with control but also the mental discipline to maintain pressure.
From India A to Lord’s: The Rise of Reddy
Before this Test series, Nitish Kumar Reddy had already impressed in India A matches against the England Lions and performed well in intra-squad fixtures. His rise has been systematic—built on domestic grind, confidence-building matches, and wise mentorship.
“I’ve been working hard for the last one or two years. But it’s about believing in yourself—that’s when hard work starts showing results,” said Reddy.
Day 1 Scorecard Recap
England ended Day 1 of the third Test at 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Ben Stokes on 39. Despite a green surface and early swing, England managed to hold firm after initial blows—two of which came thanks to the 21-year-old debutant’s brilliance.
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