In a recent IPL 2026 clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured a convincing 65-run victory at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Nitish Kumar Reddy played a pivotal role in the match, scoring 39 runs off 24 balls, which included four boundaries and a six. Despite claims of a weak bowling attack, he firmly defended his team’s bowling lineup.
“I must clarify, sir, our bowling unit is not as weak as perceived. On paper, we have seasoned players like Jaydev Unadkat and Ishan Malinga, both performing exceptionally well, along with Payne who has also been impressive. Hence, I believe our bowling side is quite capable,” he expressed during the press conference.
Nitish also made his mark with the ball, taking two wickets for just 17 runs in two overs. He emphasized that SRH’s bowlers have consistently delivered in challenging conditions, particularly on the flat pitches of Hyderabad.
“The style of cricket we’ve adopted and the high scores we’ve achieved might overshadow our bowlers’ contributions. I rate our bowling unit very highly; they have excelled, especially in Hyderabad’s conditions, which can be quite tough for bowlers,” he stated.
He concluded by noting that the explosive nature of the batting lineup might lead to the impression that the bowling unit lacks strength.
“Even when faced with challenges, our bowlers have managed to defend well, as seen in today’s match. I wouldn’t categorize us as weak on paper; our batting is simply that powerful, which could create that illusion,” Nitish added.
Looking ahead, SRH is set to face the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 5 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.