Telugu-Origin Batter Leads US Against Defending Champs India Today

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approaches, all attention is on the defending champions, India, as they prepare to face the United States in their opening match. Notably, a significant portion of the US team has ties to India, especially Saiteja Reddy Mukkamalla, whose journey embodies a unique story of talent and determination.

Saiteja Reddy Mukkamalla: A Star on the Rise

Saiteja Reddy Mukkamalla hails from a small village named Kamalapuri, located in the Koilkuntla mandal of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. This village comprises around 100 families. Saiteja emerged as a vital top-order batter for the US national team, making his international debut at just 18 years old in May 2022.

A Family Legacy

Saiteja’s passion for cricket ignited while watching the 2011 World Cup in the US with his father, Nageshwar Reddy. Nageshwar recalls the excitement that filled their home as they prayed for India’s success in the tournament. His father, now residing in the US, played an integral role in nurturing Saiteja’s cricketing ambitions.

Cricket Training Journey

• Saiteja began his cricket training at the age of seven at Dream Cricket Academy in Hillsborough, under coach Damion Morgan.
• After the academy closed, he continued his development at Cricmax Academy in Old Bridge, New Jersey, mentored by former Indian cricketer Ashok Patel.
• Nageshwar even established a youth league to ensure Saiteja received ample match exposure.

International Exposure

Saiteja’s father credits Ashok Patel for significantly influencing his son’s cricketing path. Ashok organized trips for the team to various locations, including Dallas, North Carolina, and even India, allowing Saiteja to compete in age-group tournaments. These experiences were critical in preparing him for a national platform.

A Dedicated Family

In pursuit of cricket excellence, Saiteja moved back to India in 2018 to train at the VVS Laxman Cricket Academy in Hyderabad. This decision required considerable sacrifices, including a pay cut for Nageshwar and leaving the rest of the family in the US.

Breaking into the National Team

After a year of intensive training, Saiteja returned to the US, where he made a name for himself in the national team. Remarkably, he is the third-highest run-scorer in an ODI series, with 874 runs. Additionally, he became the fifth youngest batter to score a century in ODIs, doing so at the age of 18 years and 355 days. He is also part of the US national record for the second-highest fourth-wicket partnership, totaling 264 runs.

Looking Ahead to the T20 World Cup

As Saiteja prepares to make his T20 World Cup debut, his father expresses immense pride and optimism. Nageshwar hopes that Saiteja will shine and contribute significantly to the team’s performance during this prestigious tournament.

This event serves not only as a platform for athletic achievement but also as a symbol of personal dedication and family support, representing the journey of a young cricketer from a small village to the global stage.