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Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy said that he admires star India batter Virat Kohli and former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers. Nitish was called-up to the Indian squad after a solid Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with SRH, for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Though he could not play due to a sports hernia injury, he has created an impression strong enough to be considered for future series with a 'Emerging Player of the Season' award worthy performance in this year's IPL, scoring 303 runs in 11 innings with two fifties at a strike rate of 143 and taking three wickets with his seam bowling.

The 21-year-old is now working his way back to full fitness as the new domestic season starts on September 5 with the Duleep Trophy.

Speaking to Star Sports, Nitish said that he has been a huge fan of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the last 10 years.

Nitish recalled when he first met Virat Kohli and only shook his hand and got his autograph. The 21-year-old further added that he hoped to play well against RCB, so that Kohli would notice him.

"I really admire Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. I've been a huge fan of RCB for the last 10 years. In 2023, I had the chance to meet Virat Kohli. I didn't have much to ask him; I just wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph. In 2024, I was hoping to play well against RCB so that Virat Kohli would notice my game. Though I didn't get to bat in that match, he remembered my name during the post-match handshake. That meant a lot to me," Nitish was quoted in a release from Star Sports as saying.

Nitish started making waves Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy when he scored a triple ton against Tamil Nadu and 190 against a