New Delhi: Former India captain Rohit Sharma handed over the ODI debut cap to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy before the first ODI clash of the three-game series against Australia at Perths Optus Stadium on Sunday. Interestingly this was the same venue where Reddy made his Test debut last November during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener where he was presented the cap by another legend Virat Kohli who was also there on Sunday. Before handing over the debut cap to Nitish Kumar Reddy Rohit Sharma was seen sharing a few words with the players during the telecast. On Monday the BCCIs official social media accounts later revealed the full details of his address. With his attitude and style of play Rohit said he was sure that Reddy will become an all-format great for India and promised that the team would support him wholeheartedly along the way. Rohit was seen sharing a few words about Nitish Kumar Reddy Cap number 260 Nitish Reddy welcome to the club. You had a great start to your career and its only because of how you want to play the game and your attitude. Im 110% sure that with that attitude youre going to go a long way in this Indian team. Youre going to be an all format great which I believe thoroughly. Because like you said in your speech yesterday you want to be everywhere and that is where we all want you to be doing that. So good luck. Im sure 110% sure that the team will rally around you. Anything you need anytime you need anything everyone will be there to support you and good luck. Good Luck Have a great career said Rohit. India have been on the lookout for a seam-bowling all-rounder ever since Hardik Pandya stepped away from the longer formats in 2019 due to persistent back issues. Nitish Kumar Reddy grabbed everyones attention during the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy season even opening the bowling for Andhra and continued his impressive all-round performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to include him into the national team. Reddy made his T20Is debut in October 2024 The 22-year-old debuted in T20Is in October 2024 and later Gambhir advocated for his inclusion in the Test squad for the Australia tour where he grabbed headlines by scoring a century in Melbourne. Although India has seen only glimpses of his talent so far chief selector Ajit Agarkar assured earlier this month that the team management plans to give Reddy an extended opportunity. Nitish showed a lot of promise. Even the way he bowled well at Lords. And the way he batted under pressure in the second innings. Plus his batting in Australia has shown hes got the potential. And hes still a young kid. He was developing his game. So the more he plays the better hes going to get. And we obviously have an eye on him. So if he does develop into that allrounder that you always keep looking for it does give you a lot of flexibility with the XIs that you pick and the balance you can create in the team he had said.