Reddy’s Blunder Ignites Selector Fury, Kishan’s Timely Reminder

Nitish Kumar Reddy, a young Indian all-rounder, has inadvertently stirred the pot with his recent candid remarks, particularly when chatting with the newly appointed interim captain, Ishan Kishan. During an event hosted by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2026 season, Reddy found himself in a lighthearted rapid-fire round alongside Kishan and another Indian cricketer.

The 22-year-old, who is currently a fixture in India’s Test squad, dropped a surprising preference for T20 Internationals over the longer format of Test cricket. This was followed by an even more attention-grabbing choice of ODIs over T20Is, a statement that quickly garnered public interest, especially given his recent performances. Kishan, ever the quick-witted skipper, immediately chimed in with a playful admonishment, reminding Reddy that the national selectors might be “listening,” and that he should perhaps stick to praising Test cricket.

Reddy’s Format Preferences Under the Spotlight

The host of the SRH event posed a direct question to Reddy, asking him to pick his favourite format from a given pair. Reddy’s consistent choice of T20Is, even when presented with the opportunity to favour Test cricket, left many in attendance surprised. Kishan’s reaction was swift and humorous, with him joking that Reddy should be mindful of his current position in the Indian Test side while making such declarations.

The banter took an amusing turn when the conversation shifted to Reddy’s bowling prowess. Kishan playfully teased him about his all-round capabilities. Reddy, in turn, defended his bowling by recounting a recent practice session where he bowled an entire over to Kishan without conceding a single run. These lighthearted exchanges between the teammates not only entertained their fellow players but also elicited laughter from the audience, creating a jovial atmosphere.

Reddy’s International Career So Far

Nitish Kumar Reddy has, to date, represented India across all three international formats of the game. His last T20 International appearance was in January of the previous year, during a home series against England.

More recently, Reddy was part of the ODI squad that faced New Zealand earlier this year, and he continues to be a regular in the starting lineup for Test matches. Since making his Test debut in October 2024, he has featured in 10 Test matches, four One Day Internationals, and four T20 Internationals for India.

While Reddy’s comments about T20Is being his preferred format were made in jest and are unlikely to impact his standing in the Test arena, the IPL 2026 season is set to commence with some key leadership changes for SRH. Ishan Kishan has been named the captain for the upcoming IPL season, stepping in for Pat Cummins, who is unavailable due to injury. The franchise has also appointed the dynamic opening batsman Abhishek Sharma as the vice-captain until Cummins makes his return.

SRH’s IPL 2026 Campaign Kicks Off

Kishan and Abhishek Sharma will lead the SRH squad in their opening match of IPL 2026. They are set to face the defending champions on March 28th in Bengaluru.

The full SRH squad for the IPL 2026 season is as follows: