With an eliminator spot on the line, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fast bowling mentor James Franklin has singled out India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for the standout comeback that has powered his side’s momentum this IPL season. Ahead of SRH’s clash against the Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, Franklin described the young batter-bowler as someone who has put in “quite a bit of work” and has contributed “immensely” to the Orange Army’s progress. The match is set to take place at Mullanpur on Wednesday, with the victor earning a berth in Qualifier Two against Gujarat Titans, guaranteeing a pathway to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Key takeaways
- James Franklin praised Nitish Kumar Reddy’s turnaround after a difficult 2025 campaign and credited his improved work on bowling and overall impact.
- SRH and RR meet in the eliminator at Mullanpur on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to Qualifier Two to face Gujarat Titans.
- Nitish’s 2024 breakout included 303 runs in 11 innings along with two fifties and three wickets, but he struggled in 2025.
- This season, Nitish has produced key cameos and improved bowling figures, highlighted by seven wickets at an average of 44.42 and best figures of 2/17.
- Franklin said Nitish’s batting role has been “slightly deeper,” often coming in with about six or seven overs remaining, and that he has also been used with the new ball and in the middle overs.
Franklin backs Nitish’s comeback ahead of SRH vs RR
SRH’s fast bowling coach James Franklin believes Nitish Kumar Reddy took meaningful lessons from IPL 2025, particularly from the way the season began for him and the expectations surrounding his recent involvement with India. Franklin added that this learning carried into the current year, where Nitish has put in substantial effort to sharpen his bowling skills.
Franklin also highlighted how Nitish’s batting responsibilities have evolved. He said the all-rounder has played roles that are “slightly deeper” this season compared to last year, with his batting position largely around number five. In Franklin’s description, Nitish has often been brought in with roughly six or seven overs left, and he has delivered impactful cameos to finish innings. Franklin further noted that the same versatility extends to his bowling, where he has been deployed based on what best suits the match-up—sometimes in the powerplay and at other times in the middle overs.
Overall, Franklin expressed satisfaction with the extent of Nitish’s contributions, saying the group is particularly pleased given how challenging last season had been for him. He stated that Nitish has truly bounced back and that the impact he has made for SRH this year has been “immense.”
Nitish’s turnaround: from 2025 struggles to crucial contributions in 2026
Looking back, Nitish Kumar Reddy was named “Emerging Player of the Season” in 2024 after a productive run that included 303 runs from 11 innings. That season featured two fifties and three wickets, establishing him as a rising all-round option. However, in 2025 he produced disappointing numbers. Coming into that tournament after a notable Test outing in Australia—where he scored a century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne—he failed to meet the hype, managing 182 runs at an average of 22.75 and taking two wickets.
In contrast, 2026 has seen Nitish become a difference-maker for SRH. He has scored 264 runs in 12 innings at an average of 29.33 and a strike rate of 169.23, including one fifty. His bowling has also improved, with seven wickets at an average of 44.42 and best figures of 2/17. Franklin pointed out that Nitish has been effective both when taking the new ball and during the middle-overs phases, reflecting his growing role in multiple parts of the innings.
Death-overs hitting and professional preparation
This season, Nitish has maintained a strong strike rate that gives SRH an advantage during the closing stages. In the death overs (16–20), his strike rate stands at 215.87, which is the third-highest among Indian batters this year. The only batters ahead of him are Tilak Varma, with a strike rate of 256.66, and Rajat Patidar, with 249.12.
Franklin linked the improvement in Nitish’s batting to his natural power-hitting ability and to the special drills he has been doing during training sessions. He also stressed that Nitish’s professionalism goes beyond match days, describing him as incredibly professional in how he looks after himself. Franklin added that this approach helps him place himself in the best position to generate power, and that he trains it accordingly.
He further explained that Nitish’s preparation across the IPL has been geared toward understanding his most likely entry phases—often around four or five overs remaining—and the possibility that he may need to hit a six early, such as on the first ball. Franklin said observing Nitish throughout the tournament makes it clear he has developed a clear understanding of what needs to happen when he walks to the wicket.
