Nitish Reddy stepped up with the bat for India under immense pressure.
In reply to Australia’s first innings total of 474 during the Boxing Day Test at MCG, India were reeling at 191/6 when Reddy came to the crease.
Amidst intense pressure, the 21-year-old went on to slam his maiden Test hundred. He notched up his three-figure mark with a lofted drive over mid-on for a boundary off Scott Boland during the 115th over of India’s first innings
As Nitish reached his milestone, the atmosphere in Star Sports’ Hindi commentary box was electric. Commentators Ravi Shastri, Irfan Pathan, and Jatin Sapru were visibly moved, with emotions running high.
Shastri, known for his aggressive attitude, was seen wiping away tears as he reacted to the monumental achievement. “Yeh aankhon mein aansoo wala 100 hai, sirf pitaji ka nahi, mere khyal se pura crowd jo yahan pe hai sabke aankh mein aansu honge. (This is a tearful moment, not just for his father, but I believe everyone in the crowd here will have tears in their eyes),” the former India head coach said on-air.
During his knock, Nitish Reddy stitched a gritty 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar to keep India in the hunt.
After Sundar’s dismissal on 50, the visitors lost Jasprit Bumrah for a three-ball duck. However, Mohammed Siraj successfully blocked three balls from Pat Cummins to ensure Nitish wasn’t left stranded on 99.
Soon after Nitish Reddy’s ton, the players walked off the field due to bad light and the subsequent rain resulted in early stumps. India were 358/9 at the close of play with Reddy (105*) and Siraj (2*) at the crease, reducing the deficit to 116 runs.