Nitish Kumar Reddy made headlines on Saturday as he scored his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, marking a significant milestone for Indian cricket. The 21-year-old all-rounder played a resilient innings, scoring 105 runs off 176 balls, which included ten boundaries and one six. His performance not only came at a pivotal moment for the team but also solidified his position as one of the most promising talents of the present cricketing era.
Coming to the crease after Rishabh Pant's dismissal, with India teetering at 191 for 6, Reddy stood firm amid considerable pressure. His partnership with Washington Sundar was especially notable, as the two forged a record 127-run stand for the eighth wicket, pulling India back from the brink of disaster when they were struggling at 231 for 7. This partnership was key to India managing to post 358 for 9 at stumps on day three, trailing Australia by just 116 runs.
Reddy’s century was historic; he became the first Indian No. 8 batter to score a Test century on Australian soil and just the second overall after Wriddhiman Saha. His impressive innings at such a young age also places him as the third-youngest Indian to achieve this feat in Australia, following legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant.
During his innings, Reddy showcased his maturity and skill, markedly contrasting with the early dismissals of established batters like Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. The moment he reached the three-figure mark was memorable; he lofted Scott Boland over mid-on for four runs and celebrated with passion, reminiscent of movie characters from popular Indian cinema. His celebration included imitating the iconic 'Bahubali' pose, which quickly went viral on social media.
Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar commended Reddy's performance, predicting many more runs to come from the young cricketer. He praised Reddy's composure but also reminded him of the immense effort and sacrifices made by his family to help him reach this level. "This is the first Test hundred and he is going to score many more in the near future... he will have to...ensure he doesn’t take Indian cricket for granted," Gavaskar commented on Star Sports.
Reddy’s father, Mutyala, was present at the ground and his emotional response added to the drama of the day; he wept tears of joy as he witnessed his son’s remarkable achievement. The significance of Reddy's milestone was not lost on him, especially having seen the struggles his family faced on the path to this moment. His victory was as much about his effort as it was about the backing he received from his loved ones.
Despite Reddy's heroics, the match remains finely poised. Australia, having posted 474 runs, still held the upper hand and had one wicket left to take before India could bat again. Reddy's remarkable innings provided India hope, demonstrating the resilience and fighting spirit needed to challenge the formidable Australian side.
Nitish Reddy’s maiden century at the MCG is not just a personal achievement; it’s being heralded as the dawn of his promising international career. His dedication, talent, and ability to thrive under pressure are qualities Indian cricket fans hope to see more of as he continues his cricketing voyage. With media buzz surrounding his performance, many are excited to watch how he builds upon this successful outing.
The cricket fraternity looks forward to Reddy's continued growth and contributions to India’s batting lineup, making him one of the players to watch in the coming years.
