At Melbourne Cricket Ground, India discovered a new cricketing star in 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy on the third day of the fourth Test against Australia on Saturday. Coming in to bat at Number 8, the youngster struck an unbeaten 100 at the packed stadium, becoming the third youngest Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant to smash a century in Australia.
Hitting a Test ton against the Aussies in their backyard is always special, but Reddy’s 100 would rank among the best by any visiting batsman in Australia given the tough circumstances and the quality of this Australian attack. India looked down and out at 221/7 when Reddy walked in at No. 8, but the youngster showed unflappable temperament and amazing skill to smash a 100 and keep India alive in the match. The 21-year-old was solid in defence, and decisive and fearless in attack. He did not look perturbed by shot-pitched deliveries, against which most batsmen from the sub-continent struggle in Australia, and was at ease against the spin of Nathan Lyon.
What added a huge emotional dimension to Reddy’s spectacular knock was the presence of his father in the stands. His lips moved in prayer when Reddy hit the nervous 90s, his hand rushed to his heart every time Reddy failed to middle the ball, and when Reddy smashed a boundary to reach the 100, he threw up his arms in elation – in that brief moment, the teary-eyed father would have remembered all the sacrifices the family made to help Nitish pursue his big cricket dream. Short on money, Reddy’s family had to make several sacrifices to see him grow as a cricketer- so much so that his father had to quit his job to focus on his cricket when his company transferred him to another state. “It’s a very special moment for us. There was a lot of tension,” is all Reddy’s father could say when Adam Gilchrist sought his reaction on his son’s marvellous feast.
Like for the family, it’s a special moment for Indian cricket as well. It has unearthed a player who has the temperament and the potential to deliver for the team in tough conditions and circumstances. Importantly, it’s not the only good knock he has played on the tour so far – in the last three Test matches as well, he has made vital contributions down the order. And now, the youngster is the leading run-getter for the team in the series- an incredible feat, probably unprecedented as well, for a batsman sent in to bat at Number 7 and 8!
