![Nitish Reddy (L) and Hardik Pandya (R) [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1760085093393_Hardik_Pandya.jpg?type=hq)
Nitish Reddy (L) and Hardik Pandya (R) [Source: AFP]
Indian cricket has long thrived on the legacy of multi-dimensional players who could balance a match with both bat and ball. From Kapil Dev to Irfan Pathan and Hardik Pandya, India’s success across formats has often revolved around the presence of a game-changing all-rounder.
For years, Team India has yearned for a fast-bowling all-rounder capable of replicating the impact of Kapil Dev. When Hardik Pandya burst onto the scene in 2010, he appeared to fill that void. However, injuries and workload issues pushed him out of the red-ball cricket. Now, with the emergence of Nitish Reddy, India seem to have found a heir to that role.
Reddy first caught the public eye during 2024 Indian Premier League, where his fearless batting and disciplined seam bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad made him one of the breakout stars of the season. Just months later, his performances in Test cricket began to mirror that potential.
In a short span, Nitish has not only adapted to the red-ball format but also shown glimpses of becoming India’s next all-rounder.
Why India sees Nitish as a Successor to Hardik
India have always placed high value on players capable of balancing the team’s composition across conditions. Nitish Reddy has emerged as a vital name in this conversation. Making his Test debut in 2024 against Australia, the young all-rounder quickly proved that he thrives on high-pressure situations.
India’s search for a red-ball fast-bowling all-rounder is particularly significant for overseas conditions, where the team often struggles to find the right balance. Recognising this, the selectors invested in Reddy recently during the home Test series against West Indies.
Unlike Pandya, who relies more on raw pace and bounce, Reddy’s strengths lie in technical solidity with the bat and precision with the ball. While he operates in the 130–135 km/h range, his control and subtle movement off the seam make him a useful option in long spells. Moreover, his batting is built on a sound defensive base, allowing him to anchor innings and counter-attack when needed.
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Notably, Reddy’s early Test career has already shown consistency. In eight Tests, he has notched several important contributions, including a gritty hundred at the MCG. The SRH batter also demonstrated his bowling value by dismissing key top-order batters in both Australia and England.
Similar Rise of Pandya and Nitish
Interestingly, Nitish Reddy’s trajectory closely mirrors that of Hardik Pandya’s early years. When Pandya made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2017, he quickly established himself as a fearless cricketer who could alter the rhythm of a match. His maiden century in that very series, 108 runs off just 96 balls, symbolised India’s long-awaited rediscovery of a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder.
Over the next year, Pandya’s rise was meteoric. The Gujarat batter scored a counter-attacking 90 in South Africa, picked up a fifer in England, and consistently performed as India’s balance man at number 6.
Statistically, Pandya’s numbers in Tests were good: 532 runs at an average of 31.29 and 17 wickets at an economy of 3.38 in 11 matches. More than the numbers, his ability to contribute meaningfully with both bat and ball gave India the freedom to play an extra bowler or batsman depending on conditions.
| Criteria | Stats |
| Mat | 11 |
| Runs | 532 |
| Avg | 31.29 |
| SR | 73.88 |
[Hardik Pandya's batting stats in Tests]
Notably, Nitish has also followed a comparable arc. Against Australia in 2024–25, he top-scored in multiple innings (41, 42 and 42) when others failed and he also scored his maiden Test hundred at MCG.
Across nine innings, he scored 298 runs at an average of 37 and a strike rate of 64. With the ball, he also took five wickets.
| Criteria | Stats |
| Inns | 9 |
| Runs | 298 |
| Avg | 37.25 |
| SR | 64.22 |
| 100s | 1 |
[Nitish Kumar Reddy's stats in Australia]
What led to Pandya’s Test ouster and potential challenges for Nitish
Pandya’s red-ball career was cut short by recurring injuries. The big blow came after 2018 England tour, when a stress fracture in his back sidelined him indefinitely. Even though hopes of a Test return occasionally resurfaced, the physical demands of fast bowling and his growing prominence in white-ball format ensured that a comeback remained unrealistic.
India’s subsequent attempts to fill that void proved challenging. The team alternated between sacrificing bowling quality for batting depth, or vice versa, often depending on conditions. The absence of a seam-bowling all-rounder like Pandya was most evident during overseas series, especially the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where balance issues repeatedly surfaced.
Nitish Reddy’s challenge lies in avoiding a similar fate. While he has already shown promise, he bowled only 44 overs across five Tests in Australia, and just 76 overs overall in his early career, taking eight wickets at an average of 39.62 and economy of 4.17.
| Criteria | Stats |
| Mat | 9 |
| Runs | 317 |
| Overs | 76 |
| Wkts | 8 |
| Econ | 4.17 |
| SR | 57 |
[Nitish Kumar Reddy's bowling stats]
Clearly, India view him as a batting all-rounder who can bowl in phases rather than as a strike bowler. However, that perception could shift with development and fitness conditioning.
How should India manage Nitish so that he doesn’t fade away like Hardik and Irfan in Tests
The BCCI must tread carefully in nurturing Reddy’s career. One of the biggest lessons from the careers of Pandya and Pathan is the importance of workload management. Overexposure to all three formats can quickly wear down the young Andhra Pradesh all-rounder, both physically and mentally.
Indian selectors must resist the temptation to use Reddy across formats simultaneously. Instead, they should prioritise his red-ball development, gradually building his fitness for overseas conditions. With proper mentoring from the National Cricket Academy and periodic rest from limited-overs cricket, Nitish can evolve into a long-term Test asset.
Final Verdict
Notably, Hardik’s case serves as a cautionary tale. Despite immense talent, the absence of structured workload management curtailed his red-ball career. India cannot afford a repeat. By maintaining a balanced schedule and building his role clarity within the Test setup, Nitish can fulfil the promise of being India's next great all-rounder.
