Indian youngster hits maiden Test century to equalize third Test in Australia.
India appear to have unearthed a new gem in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who conjured up a sensational maiden Test hundred to keep his team alive in the fourth Test against Australia.
The No. 8’s in-form batting 105 not out was the centerpiece of India’s first innings 358-9 in response to Australia’s 445 in front of a crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, including his teary-eyed father.
At 221-7, the dangers of the follow-on loomed large over India, but the seam bowler put together a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50) at a stunning rearguard to rescue the tourists.
With the latest Indian batsman Mohammed Siraj at the other end, Reddy went on to bring up his maiden Test hundred with a four off Scott Boland.
The 21-year-old knelt, placed the helmet over the bat handle, and pointed skyward as his father wiped away tears of joy in the stands.
“It’s a special day for the family. We will never forget this day,” Reddy Senior, who resigned from his job to help shape his son’s career, told Fox Cricket.
“With only Siraj remaining, we were very nervous. I was praying for him.”
Reddy made strong impressions on his first tour. He scored 41 and 38 not out in his first Test in the series opener in Perth and his 42 in the second Test drawn in Adelaide was the highest by an Indian batsman in both innings.
India were in dire straits when Reddy came out to bat at the MCG on Saturday and hit back with a counter-hit that neutralized much of Australia’s advantage.
Reddy fulfilled his dreams of playing alongside Virat Kohli and got his first Test cap from his idol.
“I was calculating my age to see if he will retire when I make my debut for India,” the all-rounder said ahead of his Test debut.
Reddy is now India’s most prolific batsman, second overall behind Australia’s Travis Head, despite playing as a lower-middle-order batsman.
Reddy’s eight knocks in the series so far are the most by an Australian touring batsman, equal to Englishman Michael Vaughan and West Indian Chris Gayle.
The stylish seamer also took three wickets but former India coach Ravi Shastri said Reddy deserves to bat at the top of the order.
“I would like to beat him in the top six,” Shastri told Star Sports. “Then you (India) can play five players and get the right balance to the team.
“The team management must have faith in him. Put him in the top six, he is as good as anyone in terms of his technique and ability to bowl quick and spin.
