The 22-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was the star of India’s bowling unit with a standout performance, dismissing two England openers in the same over and headlining the attack on Day 1.
Despite the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj in the line-up, Nitish was the pick of the bowlers at Lord’s. Captain Shubman Gill brought him into the attack early, and it paid off immediately as he removed Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett in the same over, giving India the upper hand in the first session.
Kumble Impressed by Nitish’s Rise After MCG Century, Calls for Continued Backing
Nitish had already made a breakthrough in his career with a brilliant century at the MCG during the 4th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025. Since then, he has been backed by the Indian team in the longer format.
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Former India coach Anil Kumble was highly impressed with Nitish’s bowling, praising his line, length, and temperament, and urging the team to give him more opportunities.
“I thought he did quite well in Australia—got a hundred with the bat and bowled decently, even if he didn’t take many wickets. What you need from someone like him is to break partnerships and give the fast bowlers a breather while still maintaining control. He bowled nearly 14 overs in a spell—that shows fitness and control,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.
Kumble Urges Patience with Nitish
Kumble further encouraged the Indian team to support Nitish long-term and allow him the time and space to grow into his role.
“He’s young, he’s a capable batter with a century under his belt, and he’s a sharp fielder. India should persist with him and avoid the temptation to chop and change,” he added.
Nitish was not picked for the Headingley Test due to concerns about his ability to bowl long spells. He was then given a chance at Edgbaston, where he had opportunities with both bat and ball but didn’t make a big impact. However, in the Lord’s Test, he was retained in the playing XI and delivered impressively, bowling 14 overs on Day 1 and claiming 2 crucial wickets.
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Beyond his bowling, Nitish Kumar Reddy was dynamic in the field. His catching efficiency and sharp throws added to his value, and with his steady improvement, he is expected to be backed for the remainder of the series, likely ahead of Shardul Thakur.
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