Why Is Nitish Reddy Not Playing SRH Vs KKR IPL 2026 Match?

Nitish Kumar Reddy is not playing SRH Vs KKR match [Source: AP]

In a significant development, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat first in the IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders. 

SRH captain Pat Cummins revealed that the hosts have made some bold changes to their playing XI, with Harshal Patel coming back and Nitish Kumar Reddy missing out on selection. 

Smaran Ravichandran has replaced Nitish Kumar Reddy, who exhibited red-hot form for the Hyderabad-based team earlier in the tournament. 

Why Nitish Reddy is not playing today?

SRH skipper Pat Cummins reckoned that his side would bat first in order to capitalise on the playing conditions at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. 

The Australian great revealed that Nitish Kumar Reddy was sidelined from the encounter due to illness. Left-handed batter Smaran Ravichandran has entered the SRH playing XI Vs KKR in his absence. 

"I know we are unlikely to win every game for the rest of the year. But we know that this style works. So, even if there's a glitch, it is about backing it. Nitish (Kumar Reddy) misses out due to illness. (Ravichandran) Smaran comes in. Also, Harshal Patel in for Harsh Dubey," Pat Cummins said during the toss. 

Nitish Reddy's performance in IPL 2026 so far

Ace Indian allrounder Nitish Reddy had a middling season in IPL 2025. He managed only 182 runs at a poor average of 22.75. However, the cricketer redeemed himself in the 2026 edition of the tournament, playing some impactful knocks for SRH. 

With Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan showing consistency at the top order, Nitish Reddy has assisted Heinrich Klaasen in the middle order with utmost success. He has amassed 193 runs at a healthy average of 27.57 and a strike rate of 160.83. 

Also Read: SRH Player Ruled Out Of IPL 2026, Replacement Announced

Reddy played valuable knocks against KKR and LSG before chipping in with crucial contributions in SRH's recent encounters against Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. He has been effective with the ball as well, scalping six wickets in nine innings at a strike rate of 21. 

Therefore, considering he was in rhythm, Reddy's absence is definitely a setback for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Talking about Smaran Ravichandran, the young batter has accumulated 489 runs across 13 T20 matches at an average of 48.9 and a blistering strike rate of 162.5. 

The southpaw can consolidate the innings and switch gears at will, thereby adding immense value to Hyderabad's batting order. 

On the other hand, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have got an extraordinary start to their innings against KKR. Riding on Travis Head's fireworks, SRH have raced to 41 for none in 3.1 overs, with Head and Abhishek Sharma batting on 27* and 14*, respectively. 

SRH playing XI Vs KKR

Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Aniket Verma, Smaran Ravichandran, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga, Shivang Kumar

Impact players-  Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Sakib Hussain

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