It was yet another exciting day at the Boxing Test as India made a brilliant recovery when it seemed the side would lose badly against Team Australia. And the man, the myth, the legend? Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Coming in at number 8, Nitish did the unthinkable by scoring an unbeaten knock of 105 runs off 176 balls. While the likes of Kohli, Sharma, and Pant could not make their mark, it was Nitish who announced his arrival in fantastic fashion, scoring his maiden Test century and guiding India to an impressive first-innings total of 358 after the side was struggling at 191 for six.
Due to this monumental knock, the cricket fraternity lavished praise on the young batter.
Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop called it a “high-quality” Test century from the 21-year-old.
“That’s a Test century of high quality and technical skill from 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy. He left the ball expertly and attacked when needed. Another deeply moving story of parental sacrifice in Indian cricket,” Ian Bishop wrote on X.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina also congratulated Nitish on his maiden international century.
“What a moment for Nitish Kumar Reddy! Congratulations, brother, on your maiden century in Aus,” Suresh Raina wrote on X.
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that young Nitish continues to impress with his “compact technique and gutsy attitude.”
“This young man just continues to impress. His compact technique, gutsy attitude, and, most importantly, the way he puts a price on his wicket are all impressive attributes of a fine Test batter in the making. Very well played,” Wasim Jaffer wrote on X.
Former cricketer VVS Laxman hailed Nitish’s century at the Melbourne Test and said the occasion was perfect, given the team’s situation.
“What an innings, dear Nitish. To become the third-youngest Indian to score a Test hundred in Aus, and what an occasion to do it with the team in trouble. I am sure this will be the first of many. Enjoyed your positivity and fearless strokeplay. Keep it up. God bless you always,” VVS Laxman wrote on X.
The right-handed batter also broke several records during this huge knock.
With his knock of 105 runs, he now holds the record for the highest Test score by a player batting at number eight or lower at the MCG.
Reddy has shattered a 122-year-old record held by Reginald Alexander Duff. This incredible feat makes Reddy one of only three players to have reached triple figures while batting lower than number eight at the iconic ground.
What’s more, Reddy has also broken the record for the highest score by a number eight batsman at the MCG, previously held by Mitchell Johnson, who scored an unbeaten 92 back in 2012.
Moreover, his 105 is now the highest Test score by any number 8 batsman in Australia. Previously, this record was held by Anil Kumble, who scored 87 runs in Adelaide when he was captain of the side during the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Other players like Ravindra Jadeja, Kiran More, Shardul Thakur, and Ravichandran Ashwin have scored half-centuries at this position, but Nitish’s century is truly one of its kind.
Last but not least, Reddy is now the youngest centurion for the Indian side in a Boxing Day Test match. He has broken the previous record held by the legendary Virender Sehwag, who achieved this feat at 25 years and 67 days old with a stunning 195.
Though Reddy has made history, he will still look to bat longer on the fourth day of the Boxing Test match to ensure his team overcomes the deficit of 116 runs.
