Nitish Kumar Reddy came out as a winner in India's second T20I against Afghanistan after a gutsy bowling performance helped the visitors chase down 159 with ease. The all-rounder had struggled in the series opener before a three-wicket haul in this match gave him the fillip he needed to rebuild his confidence.
The 22-year-old bowler took three wickets for 24 runs and was adjudged the Player of the Match as India scored 159/8. India managed to chase the target down with seven wickets to spare. Nitish said in a BCCI video that he was happy that he got the opportunity to bowl after a poor first game.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Highlights Importance Of Confidence And Team Management's Backing
“Feels great, you know, every player needs the confidence when they are coming from injury,” Nitish said. “The first game was not that great for me, and in the second game I'm feeling much more happy enough because any player would need this confidence, and I hope I continue this confidence forward.”
Nitish's performance followed his comments about the work done at the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) to regain fitness. The all-rounder also had words of praise for the support he has received from India's team management since breaking into the national side.
The young cricketer said the opportunities and trust his management has given has allowed him to focus on improving his game without constantly having to worry about his position in the team.
“It's always been a privilege to be a part of the Indian team and the management, obviously, they have given me enough opportunities and they have shown a lot of trust,” Nitish said. “I think that is what a player would actually need and that I'm getting from the management. I'm pretty happy with that.”
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While the Center of Excellence has allowed Nitish the facilities and training needed for his recovery, the long rehabilitation process has had mental costs.
The all-rounder revealed that spending long stretches in the COE can be mentally weary. He said that keeping in touch with close friends and family, and the occasional visits home, has helped him to deal with the fatigue.
“I have a couple of best friends; I talk to them every day. It's just mentally very fatigued in COE,” Nitish said. “Obviously, it feels great to be, you know, getting those many facilities over there to train, to perform, to increase whatever ability you have.”
He said talking to loved ones and spending a few days at home provided him with relief during the recovery process.
Nitish also admitted that the additional physical load of being an all-rounder takes its toll. With responsibilities to both bat and bowl, he said that it's important to keep an eye on his workload and recover.
“Injuries happen. Because maybe I'm an all-rounder, I have a lot more loads to work on. I have to keep an eye on them, I have to recover,” he says.
Nitish Kumar Reddy stresses positive mindset in injury recovery
Reflecting on the emotional toll of injuries, Nitish said that setbacks can be tough to come to terms with but encouraged players not to let negative influences get in the way during challenging times.
The all-rounder said players should avoid negative influences in their lives during difficult times and focus on the positive steps they can take in their recovery.
“You have to be really strong at those points. You don't have to let any negative talk or any negative people come at that time and poke at you,” Nitish stated.
“You just have to be mentally positive and do the good things, and God will give you at the right time,” he concluded.
His performance against Afghanistan provides a timely confidence boost as India prepares for the third and final T20I in Delhi on September 17, with the hosts already leading the series 2-0 in the T20I series.