Nitish Reddy picked two wickets as India won the first ODI by 7 wickets.
On June 13 in Dharamshala, Nitish Kumar Reddy excelled in the first ODI between India and Afghanistan. He bowled four overs and took 2/31 in the 25-over per side game that India won by 7 wickets.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102 helped Afghanistan score 194 runs after being asked to bat first. Debutants Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar took three wickets each, while Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Reddy picked two wickets each.
Then in the chase, Shubman Gill played a captain’s knock, scoring 84* in 66 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes to guide India past the finish line in 22.5 overs. Ishan Kishan made 34 runs, and KL Rahul made 39* as well.
Nitish Kumar Reddy finds himself in the spotlight after Hardik Pandya suffered a niggle and was ruled out of the series just before it began. Reddy came to this series after a very good IPL 2026 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he scored 302 runs and took 8 wickets.
"It's just simple. As I always keep telling myself, as an all-rounder, I have to keep doing both jobs for my team, and then the team is going to be in a great position. I just have to show up. The captain gives me the ball, or the team needs some runs; I just have to show up there and show some intent on the field. That's how I see it as an all-rounder," Reddy said at the press conference after the match, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Reddy was the one to end Gurbaz’s blitz, who scored the fastest ODI ton for Afghanistan and the second fastest against India.
"In T20s, like the IPL and all, because of the impact player, I was not able to complete four overs. So, I was preparing myself to, you know, not be clueless when the captain gives me the ball. I have to have some plans. If I'm not regularly bowling in matches, at least I would do my stuff in practice so I am ready at the right time.
For all-rounders, it is a bit difficult because we always expect to get four overs [in T20s]. Even at first, one or two overs, if you get [hit], at least there will be two overs; you can come back, and you can give your effort. It used to be like that, but now if you bowl one or two overs badly, maybe that's the end of the tournament also for some all-rounders or bowlers. I would say when there is a chance for a comeback, after one over, you have to come back and show up—that's where players' mindsets determine everything. I believe bowlers should get four overs, and all-rounders should get four overs. At least they need to get that experience,” Reddy added.
Reddy's recent training with fast-bowling and high-performance coach Steffan Jones has contributed to some of his growth as a bowler, namely his increased speed.
"We all got skills; that's why we're here. But it's about the mindset that you present over there. You need to be strong, because the ball will be old after 20 overs [in ODIs], and you need to bowl those tight lengths with five fielders in, and it's just, you need to come back and hit the top of off, and you know what the plan is, and it all depends on the situation, you know. You have to use the situation according to you, and you have to improve and get some wickets over there. That's how we prepare ourselves.
I would say pressure is everywhere. I mean, not in this setup, but in the IPL, you will be having pressure. But I always believe that India has so much talent, and if you're playing there, you've got to do something about your mindset. So, when someone handles pressure well, that's when you want to get some runs and get some wickets. Whoever handles pressure and keeps their mindset very good in the center, they will be in the upper hand,” he signed off.
The second ODI between the two sides will be played on June 17 in Lucknow.