India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy acknowledged the crowd as he walks off the field after losing his wicket during play on the day four of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

An unmistakable confidence ripples through Nitish Kumar Reddy. It was evident when he spoke to the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Sunday. “I felt so happy about my first century. My father is here and I am representing the country and it’s a special moment. I helped my team in a difficult situation,” he said.

Amused and relieved with Mohammed Siraj surviving against Pat Cummins, Nitish said: “The crowd went crazy after Siraj’s last-ball defence. Even for my century (the cheers) were not that loud. I loved the way Siraj approached the three balls and I should thank him.”

Nitish’s origin story has evoked curiosity but for him, this has been a work in progress: “For you guys, it’s like one or two months. For me, I see my last three years, and about how hard I have worked on my batting and bowling. Fitness is important for me as an all-rounder. After my first IPL season, I worked a lot on my batting and that’s helping now. I have to improve as a bowler.”

Queried about the expected chase to win the fourth Test on Monday, Nitish said: “We will come back strong and will rectify the mistakes of the first innings. When I come (to bat) in the second innings, it’s a fresh innings, I can’t start from 100.”

Playing with his idol Virat Kohli is an obvious high: “I have been watching Virat from my childhood and to now play with him is special. He came to me and said that I played well and got the team back in the game and I felt so happy.”

Asked about his father Mutyala Reddy’s contribution, Nitish got effusive: “When I was nothing, the first person who believed in me was my father. He resigned from his job, and took me to the ground, gym, and made a lot of sacrifices. I am grateful to have a father like him.”

Nitish also countered the initial scepticism in some quarters: “Some people doubted me. It was like a youngster who played IPL, who came here and he can’t perform in such a big series. I want to prove them wrong. I want people to know that I am here to give my 100 per cent for the Indian team.”

India’s Nitish Reddy celebrates his Century during Day 3 of the fourth Test match against Australia, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) on Saturday announced a cash award of ₹25 lakh for young Nitish Reddy, acknowledging his maiden Test century effort, which was crucial to India’s fightback in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old Reddy scored a resilient unbeaten 105 to steer India to 358 for nine on the third day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“It is a fortunate day and a happiest moment for the Andhra Cricket Association. We are very happy that a boy from Andhra has been picked for the Test format and international T20 format. As an honour, on behalf of the Andhra Cricket Association, ₹25 lakh prize money is being given to Nitish Kumar Reddy,” (ACA) President Kesineni Sivanath said.

Reddy, who has been a standout performer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showed his grit again in the fourth Test, sharing a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls).

Reddy’s remarkable innings was praised by cricketing legends with Sunil Gavaskar describing it as one of the greatest Test knocks in India’s Test history.