India’s new batting hero Nitish Reddy hits his first Test hundred

By Prakhar Sachdeo

India has a new batting hero as 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy showed the poise of a veteran to score his maiden century, leading his team’s comeback against Australia on day three of the fourth test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Reddy, playing just his fourth Test and batting at No. 8, rescued India from 221-7, sharing a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50). The pair fell two runs shy of equaling the record for an eighth-wicket partnership for India vs Australia of 129 which was set by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2008.

Reddy’s father Mutyala nervously watched from the stands as his son edged through the 90s, before wiping away tears of joy as he was mobbed by well-wishers in the MCG crowd. “For our family, it’s a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life . . . he has been performing well since the age group of 14-15, and now in international cricket, it’s a very special feeling,” Mutyala told Fox Sports.

Nitish Reddy’s hundred came off 171 deliveries and included 10 fours and one six. The century came after a string of promising knocks. Before getting the hundred Reddy has managed the scores of 41,38*, 42,42,42 and 16 in the ongoing Test series.

“I want to see respect for my father in the eyes of those who once tore him to shreds for believing in my talent.” Reddy told PTI. The maiden Test ton celebration in Amarendra Bahubali style was a tribute to his father Mutyala, who watched his son rescue India from the stand behind team’s dug-out.

2024 has proven to be a remarkable year for the youngster. This year he has scored his first First Class hundred, won the Emerging Player award in the IPL, bagged his first Player of the Match award at international level, made Test debut and rounded-off the year with maiden Test hundred.

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