Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a stunning performance on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scoring his maiden Test century and helping India recover from a precarious position against Australia. The young all-rounder, unbeaten on 105 at stumps, played a pivotal role in taking India to 358/9, trailing Australia by 116 runs in the first innings.
A Memorable Knock at a Crucial Time
Reddy walked into bat under pressure as India had already lost Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (17) earlier in the day. Resilient and composed, Reddy held his ground, stitching a vital 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar, who contributed a well-made 50.
Reddy’s milestone moment came with a boundary over mid-on, bringing up his maiden Test century at the iconic MCG. The emotional moment was celebrated with a heartfelt hug from Mohammed Siraj, who had just battled through a testing over from Pat Cummins to give Reddy the opportunity to achieve his feat.
Siraj’s Crucial Support
Batting on 99, Reddy faced the challenge of seeing off Pat Cummins, who had just dismissed Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj, walking in as the last recognized batter, stood firm against Cummins, defending three deliveries, including a bouncer and a yorker, to ensure Reddy could face the next over.
Reddy capitalized on the opportunity, driving the ball over mid-on to secure his hundred. The crowd erupted in applause as his father, watching from the stands, was moved to tears by the moment. After play, Reddy acknowledged Siraj’s valuable contribution, sharing his appreciation on social media.
India’s Innings: Resilience Amidst Challenges
India began the day at 164/5, but quick dismissals of Pant and Jadeja left the team struggling at 191/6. Reddy then took charge, showcasing a mix of solid defense and controlled aggression. His partnership with Washington Sundar brought stability to the innings, helping India post a respectable total despite early setbacks.
The young all-rounder’s knock drew high praise from cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, who called it one of the finest Test innings, given the challenging situation.
Bad Light Ends Play Early
As stumps were called early due to poor light, India had reached 358/9, with Reddy standing unbeaten. His heroics at the MCG, a venue known for its rich cricketing history, will be remembered as a defining moment in his career.
With two days left in the match, India will look to capitalize on Reddy’s brilliance and Siraj’s resilience to keep their hopes alive in this high-stakes Test.
