Growing up in the picturesque yet unassuming village of Thungalam in the Gajuwaka area of Visakhapatnam, young Nitish Reddy never had the luxury of showcasing trophies in a cabinet at home. Even as he ascends the ranks in the cricketing world, his father, Mutyala Reddy, notes that a trophy cabinet remains a cherished dream for his son. The constraints of living in a rented accommodation, where putting up many nails is not viable, have kept such a display out of reach.
The family had the opportunity to move to their own house, constructed in 2018, thanks to a reward of INR 2 lakh from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acknowledging Nitish’s potential. However, they chose to remain in the rental property due to its proximity to vital cricketing facilities in Visakhapatnam, essential for Nitish’s training regimen.
Mutyala Reddy’s tale is one of immense personal sacrifice. He accepted no financial aid beyond this award, except for essential items like sporting shoes and equipment for Nitish. This resolve tested the family’s finances daily, especially after Mutyala left his secure government employment. In March 2012, Hindustan Zinc ceased operations at the Visakhapatnam smelter, providing Reddy a choice. Relocating to Udaipur in Rajasthan was an option, but the senior Reddy elected to stay, driven by his conviction to support Nitish’s cricket aspirations in familiar surroundings.
“I thought moving to Udaipur might complicate things for Nitish with language barriers and uncertain cricket facilities,” he explains. Opting to remain by Nitish’s side, Mutyala chose to retire early despite having 25 more years of service ahead of him, fully dedicating himself to his son’s emerging cricket career. His decision faced much skepticism from curious relatives but found unwavering support in his wife, Manasa. “She has been my greatest strength,” he admits, recalling the agreement where she would focus on their daughter’s education while he attended to Nitish’s cricket and education, downplaying academic pressures for athletics.
Life for Mutyala Reddy revolved around escorting Nitish to practices and camps, marginalizing prospects of personal employment. Financial sustenance came primarily from his retirement savings, all while concealing the extent of their hardships from extended family and neighbors to sidestep probing questions.
Despite what seemed an overwhelming dream at times, Nitish’s hard work and parental support have borne fruit in extraordinary ways. He not only donned the Indian jersey but also secured an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad, promising a bright future. Now at 20, Nitish’s ascent in cricket — winning an IPL contract and potentially setting the stage for Sunrisers Hyderabad’s long-term strategy — is as much a testament to his talent as to his father’s dedication.
Nitish’s cricketing exploits began in earnest in Thungalam, where games with plastic balls in neighborhood compounds hinted at his burgeoning prowess.
. “When Nitish batted, the ball often disappeared, lost on rooftops or in lakes,” Mutyala Reddy recounts with pride. Recognizing their son’s unique potential, the family ensured he had ample space, moving to Visakhapatnam once he began competing at the Under-19 level — a remarkable transition for a budding athlete.
This parental focus wasn’t lost on Nitish’s mentors, with his Under-19 coach, Nirmal Kumar, attesting to the father’s unequaled commitment. Nitish’s versatility as a seam-bowling all-rounder — shifting positions from opener to middle-order — further amplified his cricketing credentials. Unfortunately, Nitish’s trajectory wasn’t without setbacks. Blocked by rule restrictions during his prime Under-19 years and challenged by the global COVID-19 pandemic, his selection hopes dimmed briefly.
In 2021, Nitish faced significant career hurdles, being overlooked for the Ranji Trophy and Under-23 opportunities. However, encouraged by his father, Nitish placed faith in his abilities. His perseverance culminated in a turning point during a Ranji Trophy match in February 2024, where a commanding knock of 159 runs confirmed his readiness.
Nitish’s demeanor, steadfast and relentless, underpins his success. His ethos has always been to practice more than anyone else, exemplified during his Under-19 days when he persistently sought extra bowling practice, despite exhaustive training hours.
The steadfast focus on cricket distanced Nitish from common youth pastimes. He’s never visited nearby Araku, choosing instead solitary analysis of international matches from his room. This discipline, complemented by the support of the Andhra and Visakhapatnam Cricket Associations, has laid the foundation for his international debut, albeit briefly stalled by injury.
The initial shock of Nitish’s injury after his maiden call-up to play for India was heart-wrenching for the Reddy family, momentarily enveloping them in despair. The resilience of Nitish and his father, however, saw them through this tough episode. Nitish’s subsequent selection for the Bangladesh series was met with cautious optimism but marked a milestone that Reddy’s journey had prepared them for.
As Nitish dons the Indian colors in front of his family during the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad, it marks the culmination of years of sacrifice. For his father, it’s less about trophies or accolades but rather about a dream finally realized, shared amidst their momentous challenges. Nitish’s kin now looks forward to the day when his journey’s mementos can finally grace the walls of their own home.