New Delhi: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father shed tears of joy in the stands as the India all-rounder smashed his maiden Test century for India in the ongoing Boxing Day Test match against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, December 28. After a jittery spell in the 90s, Reddy managed to bring up his century in style with a brilliant boundary against Scot Boland in the 115th over of India’s first innings.
His father beamed with pride, celebrating with the fans around him in the stands as 21-year-old Reddy conquered the G’ in style with his magnificent ton under pressure for India. Reddy became the third youngest Indian to score a Test century in Australia behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 256 days) and his current teammate Rishabh Pant (21 years, 92 days).
It was a knock to remember from the India all-rounder, who ground out his maiden Test ton off 171 balls under pressure while bailing the visitors out of trouble in the Test match. Reddy walked out to bat at no.8 with India reeling at 191/6 having lost Rishabh Pant cheaply and still 84 runs away from the follow-on mark of 275 runs.
Reddy combined with Ravindra Jadeja to add 30 runs for the 7th wicket before joining hands with Washington Sundar for one of the best 8th wicket partnerships for India in Tests Down Under. While Reddy slammed his maiden ton in only his 4th Test appearance for India, Sundar once again stepped up for the visitors under pressure with a vital half-century.
The duo combined to add a 127-run stand for the 8th wicket to help India not only comfortably go past the follow-on mark but also significantly reduce Australia’s lead. Nathan Lyon removed Sundar on 50 in the 112th over to break the partnership with Reddy on the cusp of completing his hundred. What followed was a jittery spell in the nervous 90s for the India all-rounder.
Jasprit Bumrah’s dismissal in the 114th over further complicated the matters with Reddy batting on 99. Mohammed Siraj then survived a few deliveries from Pat Cummins to set the stage. Reddy held his nerves under pressure to get to his century with a composed shot under pressure. He followed it up with an epic celebration as he planted his bat in the ground, planted his helmet on the top and thanked the almighty above.
The rising ⭐ of Indian cricket shines bright in the Boxing Day Test with a maiden Test hundred! 💪
Take a bow, #NitishKumarReddy! 🔥#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 3 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/xsKac0iCju
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2024
India reach 358/9 as rain interrupts play on Day 3
Thanks to Reddy’s exceptional ton, India posted 358/9 on the board before rain interrupted play on Day 3 of the Melbourne Test. Reddy finished unbeaten on 105 while Siraj was batting on 2 with India trailing Australia by 116 runs. The partnership between Reddy and Sundar helped India make a comeback in the Test match but the onus will be on the bowlers to stop the hosts from setting up a big target in their second innings.
Team India all-rounder Nitish Reddy smashed his maiden century for India on Day 3 of the ongoing 4th Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It was a speical moment for Reddy with his father watching on from the stands. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
