‘I got that confidence that he was going to pull it off’ – Nitish Kumar Reddy lauds Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s class act against RR

Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Sunrisers Hyderabad youngster Nitish Kumar Reddy came forward and heaped praise on veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his match-winning spell against Rajasthan Royals in game 50 of the IPL 2024. After SRH posted a total of 201 runs, the side’s bowlers put in a brilliant performance in defending the target. 

Kumar was adjudged the Player of the Match for his spell. Taking three wickets and conceding 41 runs, Kumar was instrumental in SRH winning the game. The veteran pacer defended two runs off the last ball by dismissing Rovman Powell as well.

After the game, Reddy talked about how he felt a sense of security after he saw the experienced pacer bowl the final over of the game and revealed how happy he was to get the win. 

“I was looking at who was going to bowl. When I saw that Bhuvneshwar was going to bowl, I got that confidence that he was going to pull it off. During his prime, he had done it so many times. I did not think we were going to win, I thought either we’d lose or tie. But that last-ball wicket, I felt so happy,” Nitish said at the post-match press conference as quoted by India Today.

My role is to carry on till the 13th and 14th over: Reddy

Furthermore, Nitish reflected on his role in the SRH lineup. The youngster talked about how the side was losing early wickets in their recent matches. However, he being able to carry on until the 13th or 14th over would give Heinrich Klaasen freedom to play aggressively.

“From the last two matches, we are losing quick wickets and I have to go. My role is to carry on till the 13th and 14th over so that Klaasen gets a license to bang. There is no point that Klaasen and Samad are coming early, but not getting to score freely,” Nitish said.