Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to bid goodbye to his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), ahead of the IPL 2026. Despite being retained for a whopping INR 6 crores, Nitish Kumar Reddy is dissatisfied with how things went in the IPL 2025 season. The budding talent is now seeking a new beginning somewhere.
He was one of five players retained by SRH after reaching the final in the 2024 season. The franchise showed trust in only two Indian players, Nitish and Abhishek Sharma, before the mega-auction in December 2024.
However, India Today has gathered that the all-rounder is dissatisfied with his role. Things have not gone as planned for the all-rounder. The 22-year-old sensation appeared in 13 games for the 2025 season, but his contribution to the team fell short of his expectations. He mainly batted at No. 6 or No. 7 and faced very few balls in multiple matches.
As a result, Nitish only scored 182 runs and bowled 5 overs throughout the season, in stark contrast to his status as a true all-rounder.
According to sources, Nitish desired the No.4 post in SRH last season and accepted to be retained after receiving assurances.
However, as it proved out in the 2025 season, the IPL's challenging surfaces necessitated the franchise's need for an experienced campaigner at No.4, a position Heinrich Klaasen accepted. Klaasen, in his new No.4 spot, had his finest IPL season, scoring 487 runs at a strike rate of 172.70, including a century.
That pushed Nitish down the batting order, limiting his opportunities. Now, Nitish believes that the role promised to him was not fulfilled, and he intends to leave SRH for a fresh start in the IPL 2026.
If Reddy enters the IPL 2026 auction, numerous clubs will most likely be interested in him. His ability to bowl fast, medium tempo, and hit big shots makes him a vital player for any team.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder has also found himself in legal trouble with his former player agency, Square The One. Nitish Reddy's former agent has filed a case against him, claiming over Rs 5 crore in unpaid debts.
According to India Today, Nitish Reddy's relationship with his former player management agency, Square The One, ended during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The player then signed with the manager of another Indian cricketer who was also on the tour.
Square The One Private Limited, a player management agency, has filed a case under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, alleging a breach of management agreement and failure to pay dues. The matter is scheduled to be heard before the Delhi High Court on July 28.
(India Today report)
