"Sorry Sir, Bowling Unit Not As Weak": Nitish Reddy Counters Reporter In Press Conference

After losing their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad bounced back in IPL 2026 with a commanding 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Asked to bat first, SRH posted an imposing total of 226/8 in 20 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen (52), Abhishek Sharma (48), and Travis Head (46) playing impactful knocks. In reply, KKR began their chase on a positive note, but SRH's bowlers soon tightened the screws and bundled them out for 161. Veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat emerged as the star performer with the ball, registering figures of 3/21.

Following the match, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed claims that Sunrisers Hyderabad possess a weak bowling attack. He highlighted the presence of experienced and in-form players such as Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, and David Payne, asserting that they add strength and balance to the bowling unit.

"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 Eshan 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.

SRH's bowling attack had come under scrutiny after their opening fixture against defending champions RCB. While chasing a challenging target of 202, Royal Challengers Bengaluru crossed the finish line with 26 balls to spare, powered by a vintage innings from Virat Kohli and a destructive knock by Devdutt Padikkal.

However, SRH responded emphatically with a dominant display at Eden Gardens on Thursday, dismantling the three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs to register their first win of the season.

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.

(With ANI Inputs)

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