Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan stated that the performance of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the third India vs. New Zealand ODI in Indore was a positive for the Men in Blue. He also felt that the Andhra all-rounder should’ve played from the first ODI itself.

Pathan lauded Reddy's performance, pointing out his potential with a fifty and excellent, huge shots. Pathan was impressed by Reddy's 135 kmph bowling speed and partnerships, prompting him to propose that India continue to help Reddy in his development as a strong all-rounder.

In the third and final One-Day International against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday, Reddy hit 53 runs off 57 balls, including two fours and two sixes, and built a critical 88-run partnership with Virat Kohli.

“Nitish Kumar Reddy was positive. He scored a fifty with the bat, and Reddy played instead of Washington Sundar in Rajkot. I felt he should have played from the first game. The way he batted, Reddy showed he had the potential to play big shots and could rotate strike. Reddy was also involved in good partnerships in both games. Reddy can play those big shots easily, whether it’s the pull shot or playing straight. The way Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled, he touched speeds of 135," Irfan Pathan was quoted as saying on his YouTube Channel.

“It’s a decent speed, and it shows he has the potential to be Hardik Pandya’s backup. Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a good all-rounder," he added.

Reddy made his India debut in 2024 in Tests and T20Is for India, and his ODI debut came in 2025. He has played 4 ODIs for India, scoring 100 runs at an average of 33.33, with one fifty.

Reddy has done well in Tests, scoring 396 runs in 10 matches at an average of 26.40, including a century, and has taken 8 wickets with an economy rate of 4.25.