Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey in this tour has been nothing short of amazing. At just 21 years of age, the all-rounder entered the series as an underdog, with just 21 first-class games to his name. Most of his outstanding performances have come in T20 cricket. But when the pressure of Test cricket was at its peak, Reddy rose to the occasion by smashing a brilliant century at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Reddy silenced all the doubters in style. “I know some people doubted me,” he said. “They thought that a young player like me, who has IPL experience but not much experience, cannot feature in such a big series. I want to prove them wrong and show that I give my 100% for the Indian team.”
A moment to remember
On the third day, with over 80,000 fans cheering in the stands, Reddy etched his name into history. Against Australia’s Scott Boland, he hit a confident drive for four to bring up his first Test century. Although his teammates applauded, Reddy remained calm, acknowledging his role in the milestone to his number 11 partner Mohammed Siraj.
“The crowd went wild as Siraj defended Cummins’ last three balls.” Reddy said with a smile. “I think that moment was even grander than my 100th anniversary celebration! But I have to thank him. “Without his fighting spirit, I wouldn’t have been able to reach the age of 100.”
Reddy also revealed how surreal it felt to share the field with his idol Virat Kohli. “I have been watching Virat since my childhood and was inspired by him. Playing with him is a dream. I was in the last of the non-strikers when he scored a century in Perth and I was so proud. The moment he comes in and says, ‘You did a great job and got the team back in the game’ is a moment I will cherish forever.”
Strategic Excellence and Personal Growth
Nitish Kumar Reddy is one of the few Indian batsmen who has been able to bowl out Scott Boland well. He was constantly confronting him to disrupt his rhythm. “Boland’s consistency is his strength.” Reddy explained. “So I tried to move forward to adapt to his line and length. It worked for me.”
However, Reddy remains critical of his bowling effort. With an average of 49 with just three wickets in four Tests, he admitted there was room for improvement. “My goal was to become a complete all-rounder. I am not satisfied with my bowling at the moment. “I know I have to work harder to fulfill that role on the team.”
Journey after glory
Reddy’s meteoric rise was not an overnight success. After his first IPL season, he identified what was lacking in his game and used every available moment to refine his skills. “The efforts we have put in over the past two to three years are now bearing fruit. It wasn’t about short-term fixes. It was about long-term improvement,” he shared.
He believes that fitness is the backbone of his success as an all-rounder. “I have been constantly pushing myself and it has been worth it. This tour has been an amazing experience, but I am determined to continue to grow and contribute more.”
Stay updated and follow us on all the cricket action. Yoon Kyung to WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter, telegram and Instagram
