Aakash Chopra lauds ‘breakout star’ Nitish Kumar Reddy after impressive performance against Australia

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra tipped Nitish Kumar Reddy as a breakout star after his impressive performance against Australia. Reddy top-scored with 42 runs in both innings of the second pink-ball Test against Australia, which the visitors lost by 10 wickets.

The right-hander took the Australian attack to the cleaners while batting with the tail in both innings. Reddy also accounted for a well-settled Marnus Labuschagne in the first innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking a sharp catch at gully.

Reddy had also top-scored with 41 runs in the first innings of the opening Test match at Perth. Thus, the all-rounder from Andhra has made a bright start to his Test career.

“At times, when you are young, you don’t have any excess baggage. This boy has been very, very impressive. There is a very good stat – no Indian batter has hit more sixes than him against fast bowling in Tests in Australia to date, and he has played only two Tests,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“He has been outstanding. He is the breakout star of this Indian cricket team on this tour of Australia. He has exceeded our expectations. I am totally impressed. Nitish Kumar Reddy as a batter looks ready. Nitish Kumar Reddy as a bowler is still a work in progress,” Chopra added.

The renowned commentator hailed Reddy for his excellent temperament and for grabbing his chance with both hands.

“Nitish Kumar Reddy as a player, I feel he has an excellent temperament. He is showing that he is not getting flustered. He is trying to express himself. The key operative word in Indian cricket is intent. His intent is very clear and is playing clean cricket,” he observed.

Reddy has batted at number seven in both Test matches against Australia and Chopra added that the position is ideal for the rookie all-rounder as he doesn’t have much first-class experience.

“If the question comes to your mind whether Nitish Kumar Reddy should be made to bat up the order, I would say where he is batting and the way he is batting, it’s just about right. Just like Harshit Rana, he has come with very limited first-class experience. It’s slightly more than him but still less,” he said

The third Test match between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 14.