Growing up in quiet obscurity without even a modest trophy cabinet to boast of achievements, Nitish Reddy’s journey to the Indian cricket team is a testament to relentless ambition and unwavering familial support. The lack of a trophy cabinet was not just a mere absence of accolades but a poignant symbol of the humble and frugal life Nitish and his family led in pursuit of a dream that seemed distant but, somehow, just within reach.
His father, Mutyala Reddy, illuminates this reality with a sense of nostalgia rather than regret. “It’s his dream to have one,” he mentions about the elusive cabinet. Yet, living in a rented space, they couldn’t support hanging too many mementoes. Notably, the Reddy family still prefers the convenience of their rented accommodation over moving into the house they built in 2018, funded by INR 2 lakh BCCI award. The proximity to cricket facilities in Visakhapatnam takes precedence over homeownership.
Mutyala’s decision to prioritize Nitish’s burgeoning passion was not without personal and professional sacrifice. Once a comfortably salaried government employee, he resigned from Hindustan Zinc when operations ended in Visakhapatnam, choosing not to relocate to Rajasthan. Staying put was a deliberate move to nurture Nitish’s cricketing talent. “Relocating would challenge him with language barriers,” Mutyala explains. “So, we stayed where cricket was familiar.”
Early retirement meant Mutyala had 25 years of work life left—a choice that puzzled many. The family’s modest financial standing only allowed reliance on interest from retirement savings. Support came minimally from extended family and not at all from Mutyala’s father, a farmer. While criticism loomed, Mutyala found solace and strength in his wife, Manasa, who embraced the low-key lifestyle necessary for their son’s cricketing pursuits.
Mutyala assured his wife, “You support our daughter’s education; I’ll handle Nitish’s cricket.” Such was the family’s survival strategy. The sacrifices came with hopes that seemed pie-in-the-sky: having Nitish secure a career as a Ranji Trophy player. Today, however, Mutyala witnesses his son shine in Indian colours, poised for a transformative career with an IPL contract at 20, allied with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Nitish’s inception in the game came from the modest setting of Thungalam, a small Visakhapatnam village, where cricket involved merely a plastic ball. Yet his extraordinary promise was evident early. As Mutyala recounts, “His cousins couldn’t hit as far; Nitish always sent the ball soaring out of reach.” His difficulty in social play turned into a catalyst for parental intervention, leading to training in larger grounds and eventually, a move to the cricketing crucible of Visakhapatnam.
The family’s world shifted to mirror Nitish’s pursuits. Mutyala’s days were enveloped in the rhythm of coaching sessions and training camps. Nitish’s U-19 coach, Nirmal Kumar, observes, “Parents usually back their kids, but Mutyala’s belief was exceptional.”
Nitish’s versatility—adapting between batting and bowling as needed—reflects formative years marked by several accomplishments, yet punctuated by missed opportunities. Despite being over-age for the India U-19 World Cup due to accelerated participation in earlier tournaments, Nitish remained undeterred. His patience strained during the COVID-19 pandemic when his career progression stalled, threatening obscurity upon cricket’s resumption.
Yet, Nitish’s resolve didn’t wane. He revitalized his trajectory with a pivotal IPL 2023 contract and a memorable Ranji innings later, vindicating his steady, patient labor with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Reflecting on missed selections, Mutyala remains moved by Nitish’s confidence: “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll speak with my bat.”
Such determination bore greater fruit when an India team call-up arrived in July 2024. Yet again, circumstances wavered with a last-minute injury, testing Mutyala’s resilience. Nonetheless, ultimate vindication lay on the horizon as Nitish prepared to face Bangladesh, ready to fulfill family dreams founded not upon accolades but in sacrifice and hope.
Through all hurdles, Nitish remains a young man indifferent to trophies—valuing strength and roots, manifested through careful tattoos and even more poignant goals. Without keepsakes marked by cricket’s grand moments, his family awaits the day memories grace their own home’s walls—a testament to a life’s dedication and duty.
The Reddys’ journey illustrates an indomitable spirit, a determined family, and a budding cricket star primed not just for personal victories but to inspire countless others who dare to dream despite odds.