Nitish Kumar Reddy has been cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to participate in IPL 2025, joining the SRH squad at their pre-tournament camp. He passed a crucial yo-yo test with a score of 18.1, surpassing the 16.5 pass mark, following recovery from a side strain suffered during a T20I series against England. His rehabilitation took longer than expected, but he played a practice game without discomfort. Retained by SRH due to a strong 2024 season with 303 runs, Nitish also debuted internationally and expressed interest in coaching with Bharat Arun, which was interrupted by his injury.
Nitish participated in a practice match on Friday, where it is reported that he bowled at full intensity without experiencing any pain. The BCCI medical team managed his rehabilitation carefully, as he is crucial to the India team’s Test strategy, especially with a tour of England approaching right after the IPL season concludes in late May. His recovery took two weeks longer than the initially projected three weeks.
Nitish was one of five players retained by SRH ahead of the mega auction after an impressive 2024 season, where he scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92. However, his bowling performance was less remarkable, as he claimed three wickets while allowing runs at an economy rate of 11.62.
Post-tour, Nitish expressed a desire to collaborate with Bharat Arun, the former India bowling coach, in Chennai. Unfortunately, this arrangement did not come to fruition due to his side strain.