The moment was classic cricket-cinema: a talented young all-rounder making his One Day International debut, receiving his cap from one of his heroes and stepping into the bright lights of international sport. For Nitish Kumar Reddy, that moment came during the opening 50-over international between India and Australia in Perth, where he received his ODI cap from his idol, Rohit Sharma, a senior star of Indian cricket.
Reddy, aged 22 and already having made his Test debut in Perth the previous year, had earned his inclusion in the Indian squad on the back of consistent first-class and IPL performances. When the call-up arrived for the series in Australia, it marked a significant milestone in his career. In the pre-match ceremony, Rohit approached Reddy and handed him the cap — an unmistakable rite of passage and symbol of trust from the senior to the junior. Receiving the cap, Reddy said he felt deeply honoured to be handed the jersey by a player he had long looked up to.
In his own words, Reddy described the moment as especially meaningful because Rohit had been a guiding presence in his cricketing upbringing. “To receive the Indian ODI cap from the man I have admired since I was a kid… it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Reddy said. The gesture encapsulated not just the passing of the jersey, but a broader acknowledgment of potential and opportunity.
The larger backdrop added depth to the moment. India were taking on Australia in what is always one of the toughest away assignments. Making a debut away from home, especially in conditions like Perth with pace and bounce, intensifies the pressure. For Reddy, stepping into this scenario required composure and belief, but the cap ceremony offered a grounding sense of purpose. He later described how seeing Rohit’s encouraging words before handing over the cap helped steady his nerves.
On the field, Reddy got a chance to showcase his all-round abilities. While his batting return was modest — 19* off 10 balls — and his bowling spell brief in the match, the fact that he was trusted for opportunities in both departments speaks to the faith the selectors and team management have placed in him. The debut may not have produced a headline-grabbing performance, but it laid the foundation for what many hope will be a long and impactful career.
Off the field, the young Andhra-Pradesh-based cricketer has been lauded for his calm demeanour and work ethic. His journey through India’s domestic structure, from IPL flashes for the Sunrisers Hyderabad to his domestic all-round form, made the selection inevitable. But it’s moments like the cap ceremony that crystallise years of effort into a tangible achievement. For Reddy, it wasn’t just about debuting for India — it was about feeling the weight of the responsibility that comes with wearing the national colours, and the inspiration drawn from standing next to a player he calls his idol.
Looking ahead, Reddy has made it clear that the cap is not an end but a beginning. He spoke of wanting to repay the trust placed in him, to learn from seniors like Rohit, and to cement his place in the team through consistent performances. “That cap means so much — and now I want to earn it,” he said. As Indian cricket evolves and enters a phase of blend between youth and experience, players like Nitish Kumar Reddy will be pivotal. The cap-receiving moment may be instantly memorable, but the real work starts now.