Nitish Kumar Reddy made headlines during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by scoring his maiden Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with the significant backing of his teammate Mohammed Siraj, who played a key role during the innings.
The match, held on December 28, 2024, marked another pivotal moment for the young Indian cricketer as he became the third youngest player from India to score a century on Australian soil, joining the ranks of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant. Reddy's achievement came after enduring the pressure of standing at 99 runs, with his support from Siraj proving monumental.
Facing the Australian bowling attack, particularly skipper Pat Cummins, Reddy found himself isolated after losing wickets rapidly, including his partner Washington Sundar, who contributed 50 runs to their eighth-wicket partnership of 127 runs. With Jasprit Bumrah departing for zero, Reddy had all eyes on the freshly arrived Siraj, who needed to survive just three deliveries to allow Reddy the chance to reach the century.
Siraj’s defense under pressure became one of the highlights of the day. Many spectators, including Reddy's father Mutyala Reddy, were visibly tense during those moments, hoping the bowler would hold his ground. To the delight of the crowd, Siraj successfully navigated those balls without dismissal. His steady performance not only shielded Reddy's opportunity but also ignited rampant excitement among fans, who flooded social media with praise and jokes, dubiously naming him "DSP Siraj" for his composure.
The innings progressed, culminating when Reddy hit a boundary to notch up his hundred, sending the fans at the MCG—and his father—into joyous celebration.
Mutyala Reddy, overwhelmed, shared, "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, it’s a very special feeling," as tears of joy streamed down his face.
Adding to the merriment of the moment, Virat Kohli was noted for sharing light-hearted interactions with Siraj post-innings, humorously applauding him for his timely intervention to help Reddy achieve this significant milestone. Kohli was seen patting Siraj on the back, marking the supportive spirit among teammates during such high-pressure situations.
Reddy’s innings not only lifted the team's spirits but also repositioned India’s standing within the match. At stumps on Day 3, India found itself at 358/9, trailing Australia by 116 runs but bolstered by Reddy's landmark score of 105 runs off 176 balls, with hopes of extending the innings on Day 4.
The day's drama, filled with tension, cheers, and emotional expressions, highlighted the sport's camaraderie and the passions of cricket fans worldwide. From the emotional reactions of family members to playful banters among players, the story of Reddy and Siraj’s collaboration stands as a remarkable cricketing tale—one where every ball faced held the weight of aspirations and dreams.
With rain affecting the match late on Day 3, play was halted, but as both teams eyed the final day, the thrill of competitive sports held everyone’s attention. Fans celebrated the promising potential of Reddy’s future, encapsulating how moments like these reflect not just personal victories but uplift the entire team's morale.
India’s focus now shifts to Day 4, where they will aim to build on Reddy’s momentum, with the hope of bundling together enough runs to challenge Australia adequately, keeping the match finely poised with potential outcomes looming.
