नवीनतम
Nitish Reddy dazzles MCG with maiden Test century
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Indian cricket found a new hero on Saturday as Nitish Reddy, the 21-year-old batting sensation, etched his name into the annals of cricketing glory with a dazzling maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) o Saturday.
On a day when resilience met brilliance, Reddy’s unbeaten 105 against a fearsome Australian attack rekindled memories of legendary knocks and showcased the unyielding spirit of Indian cricket. Walking to the crease with India in a precarious position (221/7), Reddy’s innings was a masterclass in grit and elegance. The youngster reached his milestone in spectacular fashion, lofting Scott Boland over mid-on for a boundary in the 114th over. As the ball raced to the fence, the significance of the moment wasn’t lost on the spectators or his emotional father in the stands, who joined his hands in gratitude. Reddy’s celebration—kneeling on the pitch, bat grounded, and helmet raised—captured the weight of his achievement.
At 21 years and 214 days, Reddy became the third-youngest Indian to score a maiden Test century on Australian soil. He joined the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar (1992, Sydney) and Rishabh Pant (2019, Sydney), further cementing his status as one of India’s brightest cricketing prospects.
Reddy’s partnership with Washington Sundar, who contributed a spirited 50, added 149 crucial runs for the eighth wicket, a record-breaking stand for India at the MCG. This knock also saw Reddy surpass Anil Kumble’s 87 at Adelaide (2008) to claim the highest score by an Indian batting at No. 8 or below in Australia.
The feat marked only the second instance of India’s No. 8 and No. 9 both scoring 50+ in the same innings in Australia, the first being Kumble and Harbhajan Singh at Adelaide in 2008. Their stand not only frustrated the Australian bowlers but also showcased the depth of India’s lower order, reinforcing the team’s fighting spirit in adverse conditions. Reddy’s innings has already drawn comparisons with iconic performances, including Tendulkar’s Sydney century and Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting 81 at Sydney in 2019. Cricket pundits and fans alike have hailed the young batsman’s poise, technique, and temperament, praising his ability to deliver under pressure against a worldclass bowling attack.
The MCG knock is seen as a potential turning point for India in the series. With his century, Reddy has not only given India a fighting chance but also underlined his immense potential to shape the future of Indian cricket.
India’s history in Australia is replete with memorable lower-order contributions, from Kiran More’s unbeaten 67 at Melbourne (1991) to Jadeja’s heroic efforts. Reddy’s innings now joins this illustrious list, serving as a testament to the team’s never-say-die attitude. As the series unfolds, Reddy’s century will be remembered not just as a landmark innings but as a symbol of hope and resilience. For Indian cricket, it marks the emergence of a new star, one whose brilliance promises to shine brightly for years to come.
