Nitish Kumar Reddy played a key role in India‘s commanding 89-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I. Reddy’s sensational knock of 74 off just 34 balls, punctuated by 7 massive sixes and 4 fours, helped India post an imposing total. His outstanding performance, coupled with a solid bowling display, earned him the Player of the Match award in just his second T20I appearance.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s back-to-back sixes and all-round brilliance
One of the standout moments of the match was Reddy’s two back-to-back sixes off Rishad Hossain‘s bowling during the 10th over of India’s innings.
Facing the third ball of the over, Reddy sent an 87.8 kph delivery from Hossain soaring over the bowler’s head. The ball tossed up full and spinning away, was expertly dispatched downtown by Reddy, showcasing his timing and power.
Not stopping there, Reddy punished Hossain again on the very next delivery. With the ball pitched full and right in the slot, Reddy got down on one knee and launched it over deep midwicket, eliciting a roar from the crowd. These two consecutive sixes firmly shifted momentum in India’s favor and demonstrated Reddy’s ability to dominate spin bowling.
Here is the video:
Maiden T20I Half-Century for Nitish Kumar Reddy 🔥🔥
Watch him hit two consecutive sixes off Rishad Hossain’s bowling!
Live – https://t.co/Otw9CpO67y…… #INDvBAN@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/jmq5Yt711n
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2024
Reddy’s match-winning knock was even more remarkable considering this was only his second international T20I match. However, his contribution was not limited to batting. In the second innings of the match, he made an impact with the ball as well, claiming the crucial wickets of Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. His all-round performance underlined his potential as a future star in the Indian team.
At just 21 years of age, Reddy’s knock of 74 runs and two key wickets highlighted his versatility and potential as a match-winner.
Also WATCH: Hardik Pandya takes ‘catch of the season’ to dismiss Rishad Hossain during IND vs BAN 2nd T20I
India’s commanding total
Batting first, India posted a mammoth total of 221/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Apart from Reddy’s explosive innings, Rinku Singh also played a pivotal role, scoring 53 off 29 balls, including 5 boundaries and 3 sixes. Their partnership, along with valuable contributions from other middle-order batters, set a massive target for Bangladesh.
In response, Bangladesh struggled to get going against India’s disciplined bowling attack. They could only manage 135/9 in their 20 overs. Reddy, alongside leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who also took two wickets, applied constant pressure on the Bangladeshi batters. Despite some resistance from the middle order, Bangladesh never seemed to threaten the imposing target, leading to India’s comprehensive 86-run victory.
Reddy impactful performance helped India take a 2-0 lead in the series, putting them in a commanding position heading into the final T20I.
Also WATCH: Riyan Parag’s pumped-up celebration after removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz in 2nd T20I goes viral | IND vs BAN
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