Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar reckons that Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden Test ton against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday, December 28 must rank as one of the greatest centuries in the history of Indian cricket. The Indian batting legend asserted that he is hopeful of the 21-year-old coming up with many more of such brilliant knocks in the near future.
Reddy was the standout performer for India on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG. Responding to Australia’s first innings total of 474, the visitors were in big trouble at 221-7. However, Reddy and Washington Sundar (50) added 127 runs for the eighth wicket to lead India’s brilliant fightback.
Reddy, who has been one of the finds of the tour for India, notched up his maiden Test hundred and was unbeaten on 105 at stumps on Day 3, with India having recovered to 358-9. Speaking on air, a delighted Gavaskar praised the youngster from Andhra Pradesh and commented (as quoted by The Times of India):
The 75-year-old also hoped that the right-handed batter’s ton in Melbourne was the first of many more special knocks to come.
Reddy is the latest in the growing list of Indian cricketers to have made it to the international stage from very humble beginnings. Gavaskar urged the 21-year-old to remember the sacrifices made by his father and not take things for granted.
Reddy struck 10 fours and a six in his unbeaten knock on Saturday and has faced 176 balls so far. The right-hander is the second-leading run-getter in BGT 2024-25, with 284 runs to his name from six innings.
There were some tense moments towards the end of Day 3 in Melbourne as Reddy was stuck on 99 with just one wicket in hand. He, however, held his nerve and reached a well-deserved hundred by lofting Scott Boland for a boundary.
India still trail Australia by 116 runs in the first innings, with one wicket in hand. For the Aussies, skipper Pat Cummins and Boland have claimed three scalps each, while off spinner Nathan Lyon has picked up two.
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