Vihari highlights Reddy's challenge in IPL 2025

Veteran Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari has shared his thoughts on young player Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of IPL 2025. Vihari is looking forward to seeing how Reddy handles the challenges of fitness, expectations, and a hefty price tag as the tournament begins on March 22. Reddy was a breakout star for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season. He scored 303 runs with a strike rate of over 142 and helped the team reach the finals. He also made his international debut and scored a Test century in Australia. However, he is recovering from a side strain injury that kept him out of recent matches. Vihari believes this season is crucial for Reddy. Last year, he was relatively unknown, but now he carries the burden of expectations and pressure. Vihari pointed out that Reddy's ability to perform under these circumstances will be key for his future. Sunrisers Hyderabad has made changes to their bowling lineup ahead of the new season. Experienced players like Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat continue, while the spin department has improved with the addition of Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar. They aim to enhance their spin bowling after struggling last season. Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami is expected to take the new ball, following Bhuvneshwar Kumar's departure. Vihari noted the importance of Shami's fitness throughout the season, especially given that Kumar consistently performed despite injuries over the years. Vihari emphasized that while Shami and Kumar are different bowlers, Shami's experience could be beneficial for Sunrisers Hyderabad if he can stay fit and perform well.