'Nitish Kumar Reddy has raised your expectations' - Aakash Chopra lauds all-rounder after 2nd T20I heroics vs Afghanistan

Reddy's All-Round Heroics Shift the Fifth-Bowler Debate in India's Favour

India wrapped up a comfortable 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in the 2nd T20I at Delhi on the 15th, but the real story was Nitish Kumar Reddy stepping up when it mattered most. Afghanistan posted a modest 159/8, and Reddy picked up 3/24 in just 3 overs — dismissing Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan. He was even handed the 20th over, a clear signal of the trust India places in his death-bowling.

Aakash Chopra broke it down on his YouTube channel, and honestly, his analysis hits the mark. India's nagging concern before the series was always going to be the fifth bowler — who could actually take wickets under pressure. Reddy just answered that question loudly.

For context on the bowling attack: Bumrah ran out 0/25 in 4 (pure gold, as always), Arshdeep continued his excellent series with 2/35, Axar shipped 28 in 4 like the reliable veteran he is, and Ravi Bishnoi went for 32 in 4 with a wicket. Reddy's 24/3 in 3 overs is the one that stands out — and the fact that you trusted him with the final over tells you everything about his rising stock.

Chopra's verdict? "Nitish Kumar Reddy has raised your expectations a little. For the question of who after Hardik Pandya, he is putting his hat into the ring."

India's chase fell comfortably inside 15 overs, with Sanju Samson top-scoring on 57 and both Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan contributing half-centuries. The series is now 2-0, making Thursday's rubber match at the same venue purely cosmetic.

Bottom line: With Reddy in the mix, India finally has the impact all-rounder to round out their bowling options. The fifth-bowler question just got a lot easier to answer.

Source: Crictracker