NITISH KUMAR REDDY'S HISTORIC CENTURY AT THE MCG
NITISH KUMAR REDDY'S HISTORIC CENTURY AT THE MCG
AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR REDDY AND HIS FAMILY
Reddy’s century came in the final session of Day 3, when he powered a boundary off Scott Boland, bringing up his maiden international century with a calm but emotional salute to the heavens. The crowd at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground—close to 80,000 strong—stood and cheered as Reddy, with his helmet off and on one knee, took a moment to reflect on his journey. His father, present in the stands, couldn’t hold back his pride as the young cricketer's landmark moment unfolded.
PROVING THE CRITICS WRONG WITH CONSISTENT PERFORMANCES
It wasn’t an easy road for Nitish, who faced questions over his selection when he was picked for the Australia tour. But after his consistent performances with the bat and ball in the lower-order, Reddy proved his worth. His debut in Perth raised a few eyebrows, but as the tour progressed, Reddy started to silence the critics with his mature batting and steady contributions.
COACH GAUTAM GAMBHIR'S SUPPORT PAYS OFF
Known more for his seam bowling, Reddy didn’t make the same impact with the ball as some might have hoped, but he had the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir. India chose to keep him in the side even ahead of more established players like Shubman Gill. The move paid off when Reddy joined fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar on Day 3, combining for a remarkable 129-run partnership—the joint-highest for India at No. 8 in Australia, equaling the 2008 record set by Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh.
A MASTERCLASS OF PATIENCE AND CLASS FROM REDDY
Reddy’s innings was a true reflection of his temperament and skill. With the lowest percentage of false shots (according to Cricviz data) among all batters in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he batted with class, patience, and a calmness beyond his years. As the rain interrupted play and the tension mounted, Reddy’s controlled aggression kept India in the game. His 105* off 171 balls, with 10 fours and a six, not only secured his place in history but also set a new record for the highest score by an Indian batting at No. 8 in Australia, surpassing Anil Kumble’s previous best of 87.
A RECORD-BREAKING PARTNERSHIP WITH SUNDAR
Reddy’s knock came in a critical moment when India was 221/7, and his partnership with Sundar lifted the team to 358/9 when rain stopped play. His 129-run stand with Sundar not only kept India alive in the Test but also showed the resilience and determination that Reddy has consistently demonstrated throughout the series.
CELEBRATING WITH STYLE AND PATIENCE
Celebrating his fifty with an iconic dance move from the hit movie Pushpa, Reddy’s personality shone through, giving fans even more reason to cheer. His disciplined approach and refusal to play at deliveries outside the off stump impressed both spectators and experts alike. Despite the pressure, he remained unfazed, reaching his century with a graceful on-drive to the boundary as the Indian fans erupted in applause.
REDDY JOINS AN ELITE GROUP OF INDIAN CENTURIONS IN AUSTRALIA
With his century, Reddy became the third-youngest Indian to score a maiden Test century in Australia, after Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant. He also achieved something special in terms of the highest score by an Indian at No. 8 in Australia. His knock of 105* stands as a testament to his growing stature in international cricket.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD FOR NITISH KUMAR REDDY
As the rain delays continued, Reddy’s century was the highlight of the day, giving India a realistic chance of saving the match and keeping the series alive. The young all-rounder’s achievement is one that Indian cricket fans will remember for years to come, and for Nitish Kumar Reddy, it’s only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career.
.jfif)
Comments
Post a Comment