After featuring in the domestic circuit for Andhra Pradesh, ‘NKR’ converted his social media scrolling into something meaningful. He came across Steffan Jones, founder of PaceLab, and feedback from his colleagues in Andhra and Hyderabad was enough to prompt that visit.A week of solid work later, the 22-year-old returned as a better bowler, more aware of his skillset, and this is reflecting in the way he has bowled in the IPL so far. The confidence is rubbing off on his batting too as he has not shied away from doing the heavy lifting for the franchise.In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, the all-rounder opens up on the need of not overdoing things, the mental toughness, awareness about his game and the dream of playing for India in 2027 ODI World Cup. Excerpts:Q. It’s been a good start to the season and your bowling has stood out. What happened behind the scenes as you prepared for the IPL season?Reddy: After the Ranji Trophy games, I got a good, seven-day break. Despite consistent endurance and power training, I was unable to reach my desired bowling pace. And that’s when I considered changing my technique. And I always felt that Steffan Jones (founder of PaceLab) would be a good guy to address my technique. And when I actually met him, he saw a couple of things in my bowling and then explained them to me. What he said made a lot of sense and we are now trying to implement it. Though I have not completely changed it, I am only halfway, I can see significant progress in this journey. And if I get more time, I’ll definitely make more progress.Q. What changes have you made to the bowling technique?Reddy: I have worked a little on increasing my run-up speed. My previous running style was a bit slow; I wanted to increase my speed because Steffan told me that I’m a hip-dominant bowler and those types of bowlers need to be fast at the delivery point. So that’s what he told me, which is why we made the run-up quicker and faster in the crease.

India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy fields during the third ODI cricket match between India and New Zealand, at Holkar Cricket Stadium, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)

Apart from that we changed my loading because my upper body used to come a little bit side-on and my right hand used to fold. So we tried to keep my hand as straight as possible. It’s not completely changed, it’s halfway done, and we’re working on it. As of now, I’m very happy that we’ve come this far. I have changed these two things, and I still need to implement a couple more changes in my bowling. Since we only had seven days, we changed this. We will make further changes in the future.Q. Did you reach out to Steffan on the advice of a cricketer?Reddy: It was my personal decision as I used to watch him on YouTube and Instagram where he talks a lot about bowling but I never got a chance to speak to him since I was always playing. I wanted to speak with him after getting free and I reached out during the break. I also asked some of the players who have worked with him. Some players from Andhra (Pradesh) and Hyderabad. I asked them how this guy works and they praised him highly. So, I thought I’d give it a try and it was clearly the right decision.Q. Last IPL season with SRH wasn’t ideal. What went wrong?Reddy: Coming from an injury, I wasn’t 100 percent (fit) and was a bit more cautious. The thought of avoiding injury made me more cautious, and my preparation wasn’t ideal because I came directly into matches. It put me off and a couple of bad games took me out of the game. But this year, I had a good preparation time, similar to my first year, and by following the same routines, I found myself in a very good space to perform. So that’s the only difference.Q. How did you deal with such failures and issues especially after the bumper Border-Gavaskar Trophy where you announced your arrival with a hundred at the MCG – in front of your family.Reddy: If you ask any athlete in the world, they would say it’s a difficult phase. Seeing the highs in your life and then seeing your lows. You will blame yourself because you’re not that experienced at that time. I mean seeing the highs and seeing lows again. That was the first time I saw it. I really wanted to work hard and pushed myself during that period, but I ended up getting injured. That’s why I am focussing on optimum preparation time now. I am an all-rounder and need to look after my body also. If you ask me, failure is as important as success. I am grateful I tasted failure because I learnt a lot from that season, which helped me bounce back.Q. How much did you realise the importance of mental strength during that period?Reddy: Mental strength is something I always look up to because I have seen so much cricket – on television and on ground. Great players, like MS Dhoni bhai, have succeeded due to their mental strength and mind. I mean he plays everything in such a clever way. And sometimes you need to be clever enough to read the situation well. That’s what Mahi bhai does so well and that’s what has inspired me so much. Failures will keep coming in your life and if you stand tall during those times, with a strong mindset, you can do anything.Q. How has it been working with Daniel Vettori, interacting with Pat Cummins and now playing under Ishan Kishan?Reddy: It’s been good. They have good experience under their belts and as a youngster, with raw talent, you always look up to experience because that’s what helps you in the game. Ishan, Cummins and Vettori are all very experienced. Even Henrich Klaasen. These individuals helped me out a lot.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captain Ishan Kishan, left, have a chat with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Nitish Kumar Reddy during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad, India, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Q. You have been doing the tough job for SRH this season: rebuilding in the middle overs, finishing the innings and then bowling with both the new ball and in the middle overs too. Relishing the challenge?Reddy: All-rounder’s job is difficult, you must be ready wherever and whenever the team needs you. IPL is really helping me play different roles because my role isn’t fixed. Playing at No.4, 5, 6… anywhere I can. I am ready to do whatever management requires. Regarding bowling, I really wanted the challenge of using the new ball, bowling in the middle overs, and bowling in the slog overs so that I have already experienced these situations and am ready whenever the time comes.Q. T20 is an unforgiving format – if you could detail your preparation specifically for bowling. Adding variations, staying one step ahead… especially in a franchise which has changed the way T20 batting is being approached now.Reddy: I always feel that you need to have certain variations and the most important part is execution. Of course I have practiced my slower balls, slow bouncers, yorkers and wide yorkers. But when it comes to execution, I feel when you execute these all things well, that’s when you will be getting those crucial wickets when team really needs in that situation.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrates his fifty runs during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Q. Have you found the sweet spot with regards to the preparation? Understanding when to stop when it comes to fitness and preparations because all-rounder’s body takes a heavy toll.Reddy: As I mentioned last season, I worked so hard that I have overdone things which I shouldn’t be doing as an all-rounder. Now I get to realise that. As an all rounder, I have to keep my body safe at the moment and get enough practice. I’m not overdoing now. So I am more mindful about my body now and also ensuring enough preparation to ensure I am ready for the games. And one thing I actually look up to is recovery. So I have found some things which are really helping me in recovery, some products which I can use for my recovery, and good nutrition as well. So these all things combined are helping me a lot.Q. What next for NKR? There’s a ODI World Cup coming. Have you locked your target?Reddy: If you ask any player, being part of the World Cup squad is a dream. Playing for India itself is a great moment. But coming to the World Cup, it’s a different thing. Everyone wants to be part of the World Cup-winning team – that’s the dream. I have been working very hard on my game for that and hopefully I will get a chance to prove myself.