Reddy’s 26 off 13 kept India afloat as the match slipped into a crunch phase, and his 19th‑over spell in the second T20I turned the tide by taking a wicket and holding the run rate to 14.
The right‑hander bowled a full four overs in the opening match, conceding 12 runs in the 19th over and sharing a joint‑best economy of 10 with Mayank Yadav. In the second game, he was again handed the 19th over, this time capping it with 14 runs and a wicket before launching a blistering 69‑run partnership with Tilak Varma.
Coach Morne Morkel lauded Reddy as a future all‑rounder, saying he can deliver a "magical ball" and that India needs a hard‑working player to fill Hardik Pandya’s shoes. Reddy’s test debut at the MCG saw him top‑score with a century, and his recent work with former county fast bowler Steffan Jones has lifted his pace from the mid‑120s to the mid‑130s.
Yet every breakthrough comes with a price. A hernia, a knee mishap during a gym session, and a quadriceps injury have all kept Reddy on the sidelines. The management now must balance his increasing role with rigorous fitness regimes.
With India leading the series 1‑0, the third T20I in Auckland becomes the test of Reddy’s all‑round capabilities and the final hurdle before the next international challenge.