The place of India appeared much more unsure contemplating that Delhi has been a high-scoring venue not too long ago. In IPL 2024, groups batting first scored over 200 in all 5 video games performed right here.
Reddy was batting on a run-a-ball 13 when the free-hit alarm went off. But earlier than shifting ahead, let's pause for a second to evaluate his journey to date.
Reddy, 21, was accelerated into the India aspect after a profitable IPL 2024, the place he scored 303 runs at a strike fee of 142.92 and took three wickets with his nippy seam bowling. He was included in the squad for the five-match T20I collection in Zimbabwe earlier than a hernia damage compelled him to withdraw.
Although having Riyan Parag in the group, who additionally bats at No. 4 in the IPL, the group administration supported Reddy in that place for the second consecutive recreation. Nonetheless, issues weren't showing optimistic. He had not but opened his account when Suryakumar Yadav punched one in direction of him on the non-striker's finish. Reddy couldn't keep away from it and bought hit on the correct shoulder. He grimaced in ache however thankfully it was not extreme sufficient to make him go away the sector.
The first two scoring pictures of Reddy, a single and a 4, didn't come off the center of the bat both. When he was on 5, Tanzim Hasan Sakib hurried him with a brief ball. Reddy tried the pull, solely to glove it down the leg aspect. Fortune smiled on him once more as Litton Das dropped the chance.
Even in opposition to the spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah, Reddy was not completely comfortable. “However, when the free-hit arrived, I sensed that was my moment,” he expressed later.
Reddy launched the free hit over long-on for a six. On the next ball, he survived a shut lbw name, however when Mahmudullah bowled one brief and broad exterior off, he slapped it by way of covers for 4. There was no turning again after that.
In the next over, Reddy struck legspinner Rishad Hossain for 2 consecutive sixes. From 51 for 3 after seven overs, Reddy and Rinku took India previous 100 by the tenth.
After his fifty, which got here in solely 27 balls, Reddy accelerated additional and smashed Mehidy for 3 sixes and a 4 in one over. Off the final 21 balls he confronted, he plundered 61 runs. And it was not random hitting. When Mehidy bowled one down the leg aspect, Reddy held his floor to profit from a broad.
In whole, Reddy hit seven sixes. His strategy was kind of the identical for each of them: clear the entrance leg and goal for the world between long-off and deep midwicket. However, his most spectacular shot was not a six however a 4. In that bumper over, Mehidy delivered one in the blockhole from across the wicket. Reddy managed to get underneath it, and, using his backside hand, smacked it by way of midwicket. He barely gained any peak however the energy was so immense that it went for a one-bounce 4.
By the time Reddy was dismissed, for 74 off 34, India have been 149 in 13.3 overs, all ready for a 200-plus whole.
He was not completed but, nevertheless. When Bangladesh got here out to bat, Suryakumar handed him the brand new ball. “It was his day, so I felt let him enjoy and make it large,” Suryakumar remarked on the choice.
Reddy bowled two tidy overs upfront after which returned to seize two wickets on the conclusion to complete with figures of 2 for 23 from 4 overs. In between, he executed an underarm direct hit after dashing in from covers however Jaker Ali was in. Reddy was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round efficiency.
“It feels wonderful representing India; I want to cherish this moment,” he said on the post-match ceremony. “I should recognize the captain and the coach [Gautam Gambhir]. They encouraged me to bat in the same aggressive manner I did in the IPL. I want to pledge that I can achieve more than this.”
For a few years, Hardik Pandya has been the solitary world-class seam-bowling allrounder in India. Whenever he bought injured, India discovered themselves in a quandary. They tried Venkatesh Iyer and Shivam Dube; neither might carry out with each bat and ball.
In that perspective, Reddy's efficiency turns into much more vital. Yet that is simply a starting, with a prolonged journey forward.
Hemant Brar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
