Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy might be eyeing a release from his current franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, in a bid to attract higher offers from rival teams. The young cricketer, initially bought by SRH for a base price of Rs 20 lakh during the IPL 2023 auction, saw a meteoric rise after an outstanding 2024 season, leading to a substantial retention by the franchise for Rs 6 crore ahead of IPL 2025.
A Breakthrough Year in 2024
The 22-year-old delivered a sensational performance in IPL 2024, where he amassed 303 runs at a brisk strike rate of 142.92 and also picked up three wickets across 13 matches. His form earned him a well-deserved call-up to the national team for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. On his Test debut in Australia, Reddy impressed once again, scoring 213 runs, including a memorable century at the MCG, and claiming five wickets over the course of the series.
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Struggles in IPL 2025
However, the all-rounder’s purple patch seemed to fade during the IPL 2025 season. He managed only 182 runs, with a significantly lower strike rate of 118.95. Unlike the previous season, Reddy bowled just five overs all season, though he still managed to take two wickets and slightly improved his economy to 9.40. Despite the dip in form, his all-round talent and potential have kept him in the spotlight.
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KKR, CSK Among Franchises Likely to Show Interest
If SRH does choose to release Reddy ahead of the 2026 auction, several franchises are expected to line up for his services. Among the front-runners are the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
KKR, the reigning IPL 2024 champions, are reportedly considering releasing their high-profile signing Venkatesh Iyer, who had a poor 2025 season with just 142 runs in 11 games. Reddy could be an ideal replacement for Iyer in their middle order, offering both batting depth and bowling flexibility.
CSK, meanwhile, might also look to refresh their squad by moving on from veteran Vijay Shankar. The 34-year-old has had back-to-back underwhelming seasons, first with Gujarat Titans, then with CSK scoring just 118 runs in six matches this year at a strike rate of 129.67. His only notable contribution came in the form of a half-century against Delhi Capitals.
SRH May Still Retain Reddy Using RTM
While there’s growing chatter about Reddy entering the auction pool, SRH still has the option of using the Right to Match (RTM) card to bring him back, should the bidding escalate. Whether the youngster chooses to stay with Hyderabad or test the waters for a potentially bigger paycheck will likely depend on his performances in the ongoing red-ball series against England and other upcoming assignments.
One thing’s for sure! despite a dip in form, Nitish Kumar Reddy remains one of Indian cricket’s most exciting young prospects, and all eyes will be on him leading into IPL 2026.