India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a remarkable performance on Day Three of the Boxing Day Test, scoring his maiden international century to keep India’s hopes alive against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw emotional scenes as Nitish’s heroic innings brought India back into contention.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Historic Moment
In the final session of play, Nitish, standing on 99, secured his century with a powerful boundary to mid-on. His celebration was met with applause from the Indian camp, appreciation from Australian players, and a standing ovation from the crowd. The moment turned even more emotional as Nitish’s father, watching from the stands, was seen with tears of joy, expressing gratitude for his son’s achievement.
Nitish ended the day unbeaten on 105 runs off 176 balls, striking at 59.66 with 10 fours and a six. This innings made him the third-youngest Indian to score a maiden Test century in Australia, at the age of 21 years and 216 days. The only players ahead of him are Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 256 days in 1992) and Rishabh Pant (21 years, 92 days in 2019).
India’s Fightback Led by Lower Middle Order
Starting the final session at 326/7, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar showcased resilience and determination. The duo added 127 runs for the eighth wicket, rescuing India from a precarious position. Sundar played a vital role in the partnership before his dismissal, leaving Nitish to anchor the innings further.
The Australian bowlers struggled to break through their defense, as both batters capitalized on scoring opportunities. However, play was interrupted late in the session due to bad light and light drizzling, forcing the umpires to call for early stumps.
Day Three Summary
At the close of play, India stood at 358/9, with Nitish (105) and Mohammed Siraj (2) at the crease. The team trails Australia by 116 runs and will aim to narrow the deficit when play resumes on Day Four.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s stellar performance not only kept India in the game but also hinted at a promising future for the young cricketer on the international stage.
