Growing up, young cricketers often dream of having a trophy cabinet to display their achievements and milestones. However, for Nitish Reddy, a budding talent in Indian cricket, such a display remains elusive. Despite his achievements, Reddy’s home lacks a trophy cabinet, not due to a lack of accolades but rather due to the constraints of living in rented accommodations. His father, Mutyala Reddy, explains, “It is his dream to have one, but because we live in a rented house currently, we can’t put too many nails in the wall.”
The family faces a daily struggle balancing ambition and practicality. They’ve had the opportunity to relocate to a house they built in 2018, partly funded by the INR 2 lakh awarded to Nitish by the BCCI. Yet, prioritizing convenience for cricket training, they continue living in a rented apartment closer to facilities in Visakhapatnam.
Mutyala Reddy’s decision exemplifies ultimate parental sacrifice. Once employed in a comfortable government role with Hindustan Zinc, he opted to forgo a transfer to Udaipur when the company suspended Visakhapatnam operations in March 2012. Choosing not to uproot his family across India, Mutyala stayed back, deferring security for a pursuit of a passion he felt held promise.
With 25 years of service still ahead, he retired early to dedicate his life to his son’s burgeoning cricket dreams. Taking Nitish to coaching sessions and camps left him with little time for another income source. Mutyala relied heavily upon his pension funds interest, supporting his family amid the skepticism from neighbors and relatives.
In these moments of pressure, Mutyala’s wife, Manasa, stood as his pillar of strength. Acknowledging her trust in his decisions, he recalls, “The only person I felt answerable to was my wife. I told her we need to cut down on expenses and convinced her to lead a low-key life.”
Despite these sacrifices, a father could not have imagined watching his son play cricket for India. The dream seemed distant as financial difficulties loomed large. Initially, all he yearned for was Nitish securing a stable job through making it to the Ranji Trophy team. Fortuitously, destiny had grander plans for the Reddy family. At just 20, Nitish not only debuted for India but also secured an IPL contract, marking a promising partnership with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Nitish’s cricket journey began humbly in the village of Thungalam in Visakhapatnam’s Gajuwaka area.
. Cricket back then was informal neighborhood matches with plastic balls. Despite materials used, Nitish’s raw talent was indisputable. His father recalls how Nitish’s batting often sent balls soaring beyond retrieval, amusing stories that alluded to his potential future in cricket.
Realizing his talent, his family prioritized access to larger fields for him, eventually shifting to Visakhapatnam to facilitate better training at the U19 level. It was a pivotal move as Mutyala’s life increasingly revolved around his son’s passion. Daily routines formed around taking Nitish to practices, ensuring his schedule was centered on cricket.
Nirmal Kumar, Nitish’s U19 coach, fondly remembers the unique support from Nitish’s father. While many parents supported their children, Nirmal asserts, “More than the kid, it was Mutyala Reddy who believed his son could succeed.”
Despite missing out on the U-19 World Cup due to restrictions on playing years, Nitish’s progress continued. As he passed through cricket milestones and faced challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted his momentum, he stayed resilient. An initial setback in selection didn’t deter him. Nitish reassured his father, “I will have an opportunity to prove myself again and I will answer with my bat.”
Nitish’s perseverance bore fruit when Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him at the IPL 2023 auction. His tale of determination continued, impressing selectors and management with later performances.
Outside the field, Nitish’s sacrifices are comparable. Not partaking in common youthful pleasures, he remained focused, dedicated to cricket, a commitment solidified by his family’s support.
His father’s quiet sacrifices and mother’s silent strength have fortified Nitish’s journey. As his career progresses, the Reddy family’s collective dedication remains unwavering, evidenced when Nitish received a call-up for India. Despite an initial injury setback, they remain steadfast in their hopes.
With his family anticipating seeing him clad in national colors, Nitish remains grounded, marking not his bats but his arms with tattoos that symbolize his journey of dedication and sacrifice. Though the Reddys await a moment to formally display achievements in a trophy cabinet, Nitish’s story of perseverance and unwavering support is itself a living testament to his triumphs.