Reddy scripts comeback

Injuries can be a big setback in a sporting career. Karnataka batsman Abhishek Reddy’s promising season was cut short cruelly by a major injury last year. Taking the unexpected blow in his stride, Reddy has made a fine comeback to the field and the right-hander looks hungry for more success this season.

Reddy suffered the injury in the fifth edition of Karnataka Premier League. Playing for Hubli Tigers, Reddy’s right knee got stuck in the ground while fielding on a wet outfield at the Rajnagar Stadium. Reddy’s decision to bat later on aggravated the injury. It was revealed later that he had torn the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) on his knee. Surgery was the only option and what followed was a lengthy lay-off from the game.

“Had I not gone out to bat, maybe the impact of the injury would have been less. It was very boring and frustrating for me initially. I would spend most of my day with the physiotherapist. For someone who travelled to play regularly, it was painful to just not do anything for six months. It was all about rehab as I worked on finding my range and strength. I stopped watching cricket because the more I watched the more I missed the game,” he recollects.

Following a nine-month break, Reddy’s first major tournament was the Safi Darashah tournament and the 22-year-old announced his return with a double ton. Playing for President’s XI, Reddy slammed 251 against Vice-President’s XI. Reddy then made his mark in the KSCA Dr (Capt) Thimmappiah memorial tournament, scoring a fifty in the group stage and big century (155) in the semifinal.

“In Safi Darashah, after I got my 100, I wanted to bat for a long time as I wanted to compensate for the time I missed being on the field. It was difficult when the tournament began because I worried about my body balance and my strength. A lot of things were running in my mind. I played on the merit of the ball and slowly found my touch,” says the top-order batsman.

His family and senior team-mates formed a great support system and Reddy is thankful to them. “CM (Gautam), Arvind (S) and Robin (Uthappa) spoke a lot to me and gave me the confidence. Robin asked me to take this phase as an opportunity to spend time with my family. I cleared my BBM degree during this period and also spent time with my family. The injury made me realise the needs of my body and I see it as a blessing in disguise. My brother took leave from his work to take me to the doctor and my parents always encouraged me to make a speedy recovery. I was treated by the popular surgeon Dr Dinshaw Padiwala, in Mumbai and I am grateful to him,” Reddy says.

Reddy, who has played four first class games, has set his eyes firmly on getting back into the Ranji side. “I am enjoying a good run and I want to make this a big season,” he says.