New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana earned their debut in Test cricket for the Indian men’s national team during the first Test match against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday. Harshit made his first appearance in international cricket.
Senior Indian player Virat Kohli presented Nitish his debut Test cap with the former Indian captain having some words of encouragement before handing out the cap to the 21-year-old followed by a brief hug. Harshit received his debut cap from veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin.
The official broadcaster for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ensured to capture the whole incident for the cricket viewers to have a sight of the delighted moment. Here’s the video below:
WHAT IT MEANS! 🇮🇳🥹
Proud moments for young #NitishKumarReddy & #HarshitRana as they receive their maiden Test caps for #TeamIndia. Go well, boys! 👏
📺 #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 1st Test, Day 1, LIVE NOW! #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/3vaXegIt4m
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 22, 2024
Nitish has played 23 first-class matches for Andhra with 779 runs scored at an average of 21.05 with just one century to his name. Though his batting numbers aren’t impressive, its the bowling that has earned him a place in the side. The pace-bowling all-rounder has snared 56 dismissals in 42 innings at 26.98 with a couple of five-wicket hauls to his name.
He recently played a couple of unofficial Test matches for India A against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne. He managed to score just 71 runs across four innings and returned with just one wicket.
Ashwin, Jadeja dropped from India XI
Senior Indian spin-bowling all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were excluded from India’s playing XI with youngster Washington Sundar being preferred ahead of the duo. Sundar will play as the only spinner in the team as the visitors have opted to play four pace bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, will lead the pace attack with Mohammed Siraj to complement him from the other end. Nitish and Harshit will be tested in the Australian conditions against the likes of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith.
Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana earned their debut in Test cricket for the Indian men’s national team during the first Test match against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday. Harshit made his first appearance in international cricket. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
