At first glance, Snehith Reddy looks like another gifted teenager coming through New Zealand's Under-19 system. Look closer, and his story reveals a player shaped by migration, quiet sacrifice, and deliberate long-term planning, both personal and professional.
Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Reddy moved to New Zealand with his family before his first birthday. His childhood unfolded across Auckland and later Hamilton, where his parents established a cafe that would become both a livelihood and a second home.
It was there, between early mornings, coffee machines, and weekend club matches, that Reddy's relationship with cricket began. He followed his father, Krishna, to local games, gradually falling in love with a sport that would become his bridge
between cultures.
Snehith Reddy New Zealand cricket career
That bridge carried him onto the global stage at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where Reddy emerged as New Zealand's highest run-scorer. His standout moment came against Nepal in East London: an unbeaten 147 that his parents watched live from the stands, while extended family followed every run from India. The innings crystallised years of effort - not just his own, but his family's, into one defining performance.
Technically, Reddy is a modern attacking batter who also bowls offspin, but his ambitions stretch beyond labels. He models his batting on Daryl Mitchell's adaptability, admires Kane Williamson's clarity of thought, and hopes to evolve into a genuine allrounder in the mould of Glenn Phillips.
That evolution has been carefully supported by his pathway through Northern Districts cricket, where early exposure to domestic one-day cricket and first-class environments has sharpened both his skillset and perspective.
Equally formative have been his stints at the Chennai Super Kings Academy. While New Zealand conditions honed his ability against seam, Chennai forced Reddy to confront spin head-on, literally. Footwork, depth in the crease, and proactive intent against slower bowling became central to his development, accelerating his growth as a batter preparing for subcontinental challenges.
Now preparing for his second Under-19 World Cup, Reddy brings something many age-group cricketers lack: context. He understands the pressures of global tournaments, the rhythm of travel, the noise surrounding expectations, and how to filter it out. His philosophy remains grounded. Process over outcome. Patience over comparison.
In a New Zealand Under-19 side that includes several players of Indian origin, Reddy represents a broader truth about modern cricket: identity is no longer singular. His journey reflects a generation raised between worlds, learning to belong on their own terms.
For Snehith Reddy, the dream is big. The steps are deliberately small.
