‘He’s Only 22’: Hanuma Vihari Defends Nitish Reddy After ‘Bits-and-Pieces’ Criticism

Former India batter Hanuma Vihari has come out in strong defence of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, questioning the growing narrative that dismisses the 22-year-old as a “bits-and-pieces” cricketer.

Reddy’s international career, though still in its early stages, has already seen contrasting phases. His breakthrough came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he emerged as one of India’s rare positives. Across five Tests, Reddy scored 298 runs and picked up five wickets, highlighted by a memorable maiden Test century at Melbourne during the Boxing Day clash. His consistent lower-order contributions played a key role in stabilising India during difficult phases of the series.

However, momentum stalled after an injury sidelined him for several months. Since returning, Reddy has struggled to replicate his earlier impact, particularly during the England tour and in limited-overs formats. Modest returns with both bat and ball, coupled with tactical decisions that limited his bowling spells, have invited scrutiny and criticism from fans and pundits alike.

Amid this backlash, Vihari took to social media to challenge the early judgment being passed on the young all-rounder. He questioned whether there was any other player in the country capable of contributing as a seam-bowling all-rounder at Reddy’s level at such a young age. Emphasising patience, Vihari argued that writing off a 22-year-old so early in his career was both unfair and short-sighted.

Backing his stance with numbers, Vihari highlighted Reddy’s workload and returns across formats, noting that his Test bowling figures were respectable for a fourth seamer and that scoring a Test hundred in Melbourne was an achievement many players never reach.

Reddy’s recent outing against New Zealand in Rajkot further underlined the challenges he faces. Walking in at a difficult juncture, he struggled to accelerate on a sluggish surface, despite flashes of intent. Team management later acknowledged that such situations are crucial learning opportunities for a player still finding his footing at the international level.

As debate continues around Reddy’s role and consistency, Vihari’s defence serves as a reminder of the value of patience in player development—especially for young all-rounders navigating the demands of international cricket.