When Ravi Shastri speaks, cricketing fans listen. And when the former Indian coach and commentator shared his thoughts on Nitish Kumar Reddy’s remarkable century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), it wasn’t just about the stats—it was about the heart and soul the 21-year-old showed under pressure.
An emotional Shastri tweeted, “An innings to remember by one and all. For a 21-year-old to exhibit that kind of character under pressure brought tears to one’s eyes. Pure Gold. Well played, young man. God bless. #NKR #TeamIndia #AusvsIND.”
Nitish’s Father Gets Emotional
Nitish’s father Mutyala Reddy was also present in the stands. You could see his nerves as Nitish got closer to scoring his maiden hundred. When Nitish finally achieved it, tears poured down Mutyala’s face.
Speaking to Adam Gilchrist after the match, Mutyala couldn’t hold back his pride. “It’s a special day for us, and we’ll never forget it,” he said. “He’s been playing well since his age-group days, and to see him do it on the international stage… it’s such an amazing feeling.”
He added, “When he was on 99 and just one wicket left, I was so tense. Thankfully, Siraj managed to survive.”
A Record-Breaking Century
Nitish Kumar Reddy has now become the first Indian player to score a century in Australia while batting at Number 8. He is also the third youngest Indian to score a century in India, only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant.
Nitish Kumar Reddy also forged a crucial partnership with Washington Sundar (50) for the 8th wicket. Together, the duo put up 127 runs which saved India from a follow-on. This is now the second-highest 8th-wicket partnership for India in Australia. Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh‘s 129-run stand is the highest.
Reddy’s knock also places him alongside some of India’s greatest cricketing moments at the MCG. He became the fifth Indian to score a century in the Boxing Day Test here. From Virender Sehwag’s 195 in 2003 to Rahane’s match-winning century in 2020, the MCG has seen some unforgettable innings, and now, Reddy’s century has been added to that list.
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