Nitish Kumar Reddy comes in for heavy praise from Morne Morkel: ‘He’s got all the talent and all the ability’
Morne Morkel Sees Strong All-Round Potential in Nitish Kumar Reddy
Bharatmorningnews.com – India’s search for a dependable pace-bowling all-rounder has placed Nitish Kumar Reddy under increasing focus, and bowling coach Morne Morkel believes the 23-year-old has the qualities to grow into that role across formats.
Reddy has returned to the Indian squad for the West Indies series, with the opening ODI scheduled in Kerala on Sunday. His inclusion follows a recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, where he recovered well after a wicketless first outing to take six wickets across the final two games.
The Andhra all-rounder has already displayed his batting potential at the highest level. During India’s 2024-25 Test series in Australia, he registered a century, an achievement that underlined his ability to contribute beyond his seam bowling. Yet his development has also been interrupted by injuries, leading to missed matches early in his international career.
A measured path rather than immediate pressure
Morkel’s assessment suggests India are keen to develop Reddy patiently. Rather than expecting him to instantly deliver a complete all-round performance in every match, the focus is likely to be on clear, manageable responsibilities: useful overs with the ball, valuable lower-order batting contributions and dependable work in the field.
That approach can be especially important for a young fast-bowling all-rounder. The demands of bowling at pace, batting in pressure situations and maintaining fitness throughout a packed international calendar can be significant. A defined role allows a player to establish consistency before being asked to take on larger workloads.
“He’s got all the talent and all the ability to do that,” Morkel said.
India have been seeking a player who can provide balance similar to Hardik Pandya, whose injury record has limited his availability despite his importance as a white-ball all-rounder. Pandya has featured only in T20 cricket in recent months, making the development of other options a valuable part of India’s longer-term planning.
For Reddy, the opportunity is not simply about filling in for an established player. It is about building a case through repeatable performances. A reliable spell, a timely partnership with the bat or sharp work in the field can each strengthen his value to the side.
Morkel highlights Reddy’s versatility
Morkel pointed to Reddy’s T20 bowling as an encouraging sign, particularly his ability to operate in varied situations. The coach stressed the importance of keeping his game uncomplicated and executing the fundamentals consistently.
“The message to him all the time is just to keep things simple and do the basics as well as possible,” Morkel said.
Reddy’s enthusiasm to influence matches has also impressed the former South African fast bowler. Such intent can be an asset for an all-rounder, who is often called upon to change the tempo of a contest with either bat or ball. At the same time, India’s coaching group appears intent on ensuring that ambition is paired with discipline and clarity.
A developing all-rounder does not always need to bowl a full quota or score a major innings to make an impact. In limited-overs cricket, a compact spell that breaks a partnership or a brisk late-order cameo can be decisive. The ability to repeatedly deliver those contributions is what could make Reddy a serious option in India’s plans.
“He always wants to be the guy that wants to create opportunities,” Morkel said.
Time to prepare for the 2027 World Cup
India have a useful window to shape Reddy’s progress before the 2027 World Cup, which begins in October and will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Conditions in southern Africa can place a premium on seam bowling depth, athletic fielding and batting flexibility, all areas in which a capable pace-bowling all-rounder can offer strategic value.
That does not mean Reddy’s place is guaranteed. International selection will depend on fitness, form and his ability to meet the demands of the role assigned to him. But Morkel’s comments indicate that the team management views him as a player worth investing in over time.
The challenge now is to convert promise into consistency. Reddy has shown enough with both disciplines to warrant close attention, and his recent return of six wickets in two T20Is against Afghanistan offered an encouraging reminder of his bowling potential. His Test century in Australia remains equally important evidence of his batting temperament.
India’s immediate task is the West Indies series, but Reddy’s progress could carry implications well beyond it. If he can stay fit and steadily develop into a dependable contributor with bat, ball and in the field, he could become an increasingly important part of India’s all-rounder pool in the lead-up to the next World Cup.
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