Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) continued their strong form in the ongoing IPL 2026 with an impressive 33-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), but Nitish Kumar Reddy ended up getting all the spotlight. Nitish Kumar Reddy is becoming one of the most important members of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team with the way he is contributing in both batting and bowling.
The SRH put up a huge total of 235 runs and then delivered a strong bowling performance to restrict PBKS at 202/7 to register their seventh victory in their 11 games so far this season. The win helped SRH move to the top of the IPL 2026 points table and strengthened their position for the playoffs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy shines with bat and ball in SRH vs PBKS IPL 2026 clash
After Tavis Head and Abhishek Sharma gave a flying start to SRH, Ishan Kishan (55 runs off 32 balls) and Heinrich Klaasen (69 runs off 43 balls) played blistering knocks to help the hosts put up a strong total on the board against PBKS at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Apart from the duo, Nitish Kumar Reddy also made a valuable contribution by scoring 29 runs from just 13 balls to push the total over 200 runs against the Punjab Kings.
Later, the all-rounder gave Sunrisers Hyderabad the perfect start with the ball by dismissing Prabhsimran Singh after Pat Cummins removed Priyansh Arya in the powerplay. He finished with impressive figures of 1/11 in 12 balls against PBKS.
Nitish is the only proper all-rounder: Deep Dasgupta
After the match, former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta heaped praise on Nitish Kumar Reddy and said that he is probably the only proper all-rounder in IPL 2026 right now. He pointed out that Nitish is doing the complete job for his team by batting in the middle order and also bowling regularly whenever needed this season, calling him a proper all-rounder.
Deep Dasgupta was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo, “That’s a very valid point, how we perceive the impact of the all-rounder. That is changing, and I hope that keeps changing, and next season the role of the all-rounder is recognized more as we go forward.”
The cricket pundit added, “What is heartening to see is even though there is this impact sub option, he has kind of found a niche for himself as an all-rounder. We don’t get to see too many all-rounders in this tournament. I think Nitish is the only proper all-rounder. Bats in the middle order bowl more often than not for at least three to four overs. So, yeah, a proper all-rounder.”
Impact Player rule-making life tough for all-rounders
The former Indian cricketer explained that many IPL teams now prefer using extra specialist batters or bowlers instead of depending on all-rounders because of the IPL’s Impact Player rule. So, genuine all-rounders are getting fewer chances, and their role has become more difficult.
But Reddy has worked very hard quietly over the last few months to improve both his batting and bowling, and now he is performing successfully as a proper all-rounder for his team. Ande Dasgupat felt that was why SRH trusts Nitish with both bat and ball, and he has become so important for them.
Nitish is giving SRH perfect team balance
Dasgupta also feels players like Reddy help teams play more fearless cricket. Since he can bowl his full quota if needed, Sunrisers Hyderabad gets the freedom to include an extra batter in the playing XI. And he feels that flexibility has become a big advantage for SRH this season.
He signed off by saying, “If you’re looking at how most of the teams are playing high-risk, high-reward cricket, it always helps to start, even when you’re in your batting XI, with five bowling options and then see how it goes.”
“So, you literally are looking at almost nine batters then. If you start with five bowlers, that’s where the all-rounders, somebody like Nitish, are so, so important. So, you can actually get an extra batter in there knowing very well that this guy can give you four overs.”
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