Those who used to make fun of him…today…the unlucky cricketer expressed his pain on missing his debut

New Delhi. The Indian cricket team is currently on a tour of Zimbabwe. Nitish Kumar Reddy was also selected in Team India for this tour. There was a festive atmosphere at the house of this promising cricketer when he was selected in the national team for the first time. His father's eyes filled with tears on hearing the news of his son being selected in the national team and his mother also became emotional. But unfortunately, before the Zimbabwe tour began, Nitish suffered from sports hernia and he could not play his debut match. Nitish's father had left his job to make his son a cricketer. At that time people had said a lot of bad things to him but today the same people are inviting the father-son duo to their homes for dinner.

Born in Andhra Pradesh, 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy plays as an all-rounder. This talented cricketer performed brilliantly for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 17th season of IPL 2024. He was awarded the Emerging Player Award in the last IPL. In an exclusive conversation with 'News 18 Cricket Next', Nitish Reddy spoke openly on many issues. He told that there is a festive atmosphere in his family after getting the call from Team India.

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'Dad started crying with joy'
Nitish Reddy said, 'I was hoping to get a chance in the Zimbabwe series. When I got the call, I did not understand what to do. I called my father directly and he started crying. Tears of joy started flowing from his eyes. My mother was also very happy. Unfortunately, I am not a part of the Zimbabwe tour due to injury. But this is part of an athlete's life. Whatever happens, you have to accept it. If you ask me, this is not something where I can stop. There are many matches to come. I want to focus. I do not want to discourage myself. I want to focus on the future. What's done is done. We can't change it, right?'

'If I have to tell the whole story, it will take 2-3 hours'
When Nitish was eight years old, his father was posted in Rajasthan. He decided to quit his government job and stay in Andhra to fulfill his son's ambitions. It was not easy for Reddy Senior to take this step, but a father put his son's future and ambition ahead of his own. The right-handed batsman said that if I have to tell the whole story, it will take 2-3 hours.

'People said that… so how will we manage everything here'
Nitish Reddy said, 'My father later resigned from his job. At that time I was starting my career and was about to go to the academy in a few weeks. Then he decided to stay here. He got transferred to Rajasthan and had to stay there. People said how would he manage everything here if he went to Rajasthan? So my father decided to stay here and work with me. From that day onwards it became his job to take care of me. In fact, he does the same even today. I am very happy that I am seeing some progress in my game and I am making him proud. A son cannot ask for anything more than this from his father.'

'I am happy that my father is getting his lost respect back'
Now Nitish's father Mutyala's sacrifice and hard work is paying off. He will soon play for Team India. Those who used to make fun of him, now their attitude has changed. They are even inviting the Reddy family to their house for dinner. Nitish said, 'Amidst so much criticism, my father was somehow confident that my son will make a big name. Those who used to make fun of him, now they praise my father or invite me and my father for dinner. I am very happy that my father is also getting his lost respect back.'

tag: India vs Zimbabwe, IPL, ipl 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad