NewKerala.com

Nitish Kumar Reddy Defends SRH Bowling After 65-Run Rout of KKR

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has strongly dismissed claims that his team possesses a weak bowling attack. He credited experienced bowlers like Jaydev Unadkat for the unit's strength following a convincing 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Reddy argued that the perception of bowling weakness stems from SRH's highly explosive batting lineup overshadowing their bowlers' efforts. He concluded that the bowling unit has proven its capability by defending totals even on challenging, flat pitches.

Key Points: Nitish Kumar Reddy: SRH Bowling Not Weak | IPL 2026

  • Reddy defends SRH bowling strength
  • Credits experienced players like Unadkat
  • Attributes weak perception to explosive batting
  • Highlights win over KKR
  • Points to success on flat Hyderabad wickets
2 min read

"SRH bowling unit is not as weak as you think": Nitish Kumar Reddy, following 65 runs victory against KKR

SRH's Nitish Kumar Reddy dismisses claims of a weak bowling attack after a dominant 65-run victory over KKR in IPL 2026. Read his full defense.

"Sorry to say, sir, but the bowling unit is not as weak as you think. - Nitish Kumar Reddy"

Kolkata, April 3

Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed claims that Sunrisers Hyderabad have a weak bowling attack, emphasising that experienced and in-form players like Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Malinga, and David Payne make the unit strong.

The SRH bowling unit was under scrutiny after their first Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chasing a formidable target of 202, RCB reached the finish line with 26 balls to spare, fueled by vintage brilliance from Virat Kohli and a destructive knock from Devdutt Padikkal.

However, SRH followed it with a dominant performance at Eden Gardens against the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday, thrashing them by 65 runs.

"Sorry to say, sir, but the bowling unit is not as weak as you think. On paper, as you said, there are experienced players like Jaydev Unadkat and Ishan Malinga who are doing really well, and Payne has also been very good. So I don't think we have a weak bowling side," Nitish Kumar Reddy told the reporters.

"It's just that the brand of cricket we've been playing and the scores we've put on the scoreboard make it seem like the batting is very strong, but I would rate my bowling unit equally highly. They've been very good in that department, especially when playing in Hyderabad. Those wickets are quite flat, and you should appreciate the bowlers who have performed in those conditions because it's never easy," he added.

Reddy also said that SRH bowlers have proven their strength by successfully defending totals even in tough situations, adding that the team is not weak on paper and that the perception of a weaker bowling unit likely comes from their highly explosive batting lineup overshadowing it.

"Even in such situations, the bowling unit has managed to defend, and you could see the result today. So we have done well as a bowling unit. I wouldn't say we were weak on paper, but our batting is so explosive that it might give that impression," Reddy concluded.

Reddy played a key role in SRH's win over the three-time IPL champions. He won the Player of the Match for his brilliant 39 runs and two wickets.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, I think SRH's problem is consistency. They can be brilliant one day (like vs KKR) and then leak runs the next. Reddy makes a fair point about flat Hyderabad wickets, but they need to show this bowling strength more regularly to be true contenders.
V
Vikram M
Bhai, 2026 IPL and they still have Jaydev Unadkat as a key experienced bowler? That says something. With all respect to Nitish, who played a blinder, the bowling *is* the weaker department compared to the batting firepower. They need one more world-class Indian pacer.
P
Priya S
Love the confidence from Nitish! He's not just talking, he's walking the talk with that all-round performance. Defending 65 runs is no joke against KKR's batting. The team spirit seems high. Orange Army, let's go! 🧡
R
Rohit P
The real test will be on a chasing pitch. Can they defend 160-170? That's where you separate good bowling attacks from great ones. Beating KKR at Eden Gardens is impressive, but the season is long. Prove it every match, boys.
M
Michael C
Interesting perspective. In T20, perception is often shaped by the most explosive element. SRH's batting is so aggressive it naturally draws attention. Reddy's statement shows good maturity and team unity. A balanced side with belief can go far.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50