Nitish Kumar Reddy Prepares for England Test Series with Valuable Insights

Preparation for the England Tour

In anticipation of his inaugural Test series in England, Nitish Kumar Reddy sought guidance from his connections in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His impressive performance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia was instrumental in securing his selection for the England tour. Reddy recognized that to maintain his spot on the team, he needed to excel in the challenging English conditions.

Advice from Pat Cummins

Before heading to England, Reddy consulted with his Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, Pat Cummins, to gain insights on adapting to the English playing conditions. Cummins emphasized the importance of understanding the local weather and how it affects gameplay, advising Reddy to adjust his strategy accordingly.

Reddy's Reflections

During a press conference, Reddy shared:

“I asked Pat about the differences between playing in Australia and England since this is my first tour. He mentioned that while it won't be a drastic change, I should pay attention to the weather and play my natural game.”

He further added:

“I will be participating in two India A matches, and he advised me to absorb as much knowledge as possible during that time.”

Impact of Cummins' Guidance

Taking Cummins' advice to heart, Reddy made a significant impact early in the match, taking two wickets in his first over against England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, which set a strong tone for India.

Additionally, Reddy engaged in discussions with India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, to enhance his skills for English conditions. Following the series against Australia, he committed to improving his bowling, and his performance at Lord's demonstrated the results of his hard work.

Reddy's Commitment to Improvement

The all-rounder remarked:

“I've had conversations with Morne, and I can see positive development in my bowling. I'm truly enjoying our collaboration.”

In the 2024–25 series against Australia, Reddy bowled 44 overs across five Tests. Despite limited bowling opportunities during the IPL before the England tour, he proved his critics wrong by taking two wickets in his opening over at Lord's, putting England under immediate pressure.