Nitish Kumar Reddy etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the youngest Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant to score a Test century in Australia. The 21-year-old all-rounder achieved this milestone on Day 3 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), showcasing a remarkable blend of grit, determination, and class.
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A Century to Remember
Nitish’s maiden international century came in a challenging situation as India faced the prospect of following on. Coming in at No. 8, he smashed a boundary off Scott Boland to reach his century, drawing applause from an 80,000-strong MCG crowd. His emotional celebration, with a salute to the heavens, underscored the significance of his innings.
Nitish’s father, present in the stands, joined thousands of Indian fans in celebrating this incredible feat, which also made him the first Indian to score a century batting at No. 8 in Australia.
Breaking Records and Making History
- Youngest Indian Centurions in Australia:
- Sachin Tendulkar: 18y 256d (Sydney, 1992)
- Rishabh Pant: 21y 92d (Sydney, 2019)
- Nitish Reddy: 21y 216d (Melbourne, 2024)
- Highest Scores at No. 8 or Lower for India in Australia:
- Nitish Reddy: 105* (Melbourne, 2024)
- Anil Kumble: 87 (Adelaide, 2008)
- Ravindra Jadeja: 81 (Sydney, 2019)
A Crucial Partnership with Washington Sundar
India’s lower order, often criticized for lacking depth, found a savior in Nitish. Alongside fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar, Nitish stitched together a record 129-run stand for the eighth wicket, matching the legendary partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh in 2008.
Their partnership helped India recover from a precarious 221/7 to a respectable 358/9 by the end of Day 3, providing hope of saving the match.
Backing from the Team Management
Nitish’s inclusion in the Test squad was initially met with skepticism. His performances in the lower order with the ball raised questions, but head coach Gautam Gambhir’s faith in the young all-rounder never wavered. The decision to retain Nitish over seasoned players like Shubman Gill paid off handsomely as the Andhra Pradesh cricketer delivered when it mattered most.
The Making of a Star
Nitish’s innings reflected his technical finesse and mental toughness. According to CricViz data, he has the lowest percentage of false shots among all batters in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a testament to his disciplined approach.
This innings not only silenced his critics but also marked the arrival of a new star in Indian cricket. As Nitish continues to grow, his performances could provide India with a reliable seam-bowling all-rounder, an asset for the future.
Looking Ahead
With the match still hanging in the balance, Nitish’s heroics have given India a fighting chance. As rain halted play on Day 3, the team will look to build on this momentum to salvage the Test. Regardless of the result, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s innings will remain a landmark moment in Indian cricket history.