Former India wicketkeeper batter Deep Dasgupta picked the name who he thinks is the only proper all-rounder in the IPL 2026. According to Dasgupta, the cricketer who has contributed with both bat and ball in the ongoing season of the T20 league, is neither Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya nor the Rajasthan Royals’ latest acquisition Ravindra Jadeja. But, he is SunRisers Hyderabad’s Nitish Kumar Reddy. Dasgupta’s comments came after SRH defeated the Punjab Kings by 33 runs, where Reddy contributed by dismissing Prabhsimran Singh in the powerplay.
“That's a very valid point, how we perceive the impact of the allrounder. That is changing, and I hope that keeps changing and next season the role of the allrounder is recognised more as we go forward,” the former cricketer told ESPNcricinfo. "What is heartening to see is even though there is this impact sub option, he has kind of found a niche for himself as an allrounder. We don't get to see too many all-rounders in this tournament.”
“I think Nitish is the only proper all-rounder. Bats in the middle order, bowls more often than not for at least three to four overs. So, yeah, a proper allrounder," he added.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s presence gives Hyderabad much-needed flexibility
The cricketer-turned-commentator also went on to say that with Reddy’s presence, Dasgupta has got flexibility and balance in the format that is now dominated by batting. "I guess the impact rule, and how much that's taken potentially the allrounder out of it, so he's definitely done a lot of work behind the scenes over the last few months to get everything clicking as it is,” he added.
"If you're looking at how most of the teams are playing high-risk, high-reward cricket, it always helps to start, even when you're in your batting XI, with five bowling options and then see how it goes. So you literally are looking at almost nine batters then. If you start with five bowlers and that's where the allrounders, somebody like Nitish, are so, so important. So you can actually get an extra batter in there knowing very well that this guy can give you four overs," the 48-year-old concluded by saying.
Notably, in the IPL 2026 season, Reddy has scored 222 runs in 10 games with his highest score at 56. He has maintained an average of 31.71 and a strike rate of 166.92. With the ball, the 22-year-old picked seven wickets with the best figures of 2/17 at an average of 34.14 and economy of 10.39.
