Nitish Kumar ReddyThe journey on this tour was simply amazing. Aged just 21, the all-rounder entered the series as an underdog and had just 21 first-class games to his name. Most of his outstanding performances came in T20 cricket. But when the pressure in Test cricket reached its peak, Reddy rose to the challenge and scored a brilliant century at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Reddy silenced all his doubters in style. “I know some people doubted me,” he said. “They thought a youngster like me, with IPL experience but not much else, couldn’t compete in such a big series. I just want to prove them wrong and show that I am here to give my best for the Indian team.”
An unforgettable moment
On the third day, with over 80,000 fans cheering in the stands, Reddy etched his name in history. Opposite Australia Scott Boland hit a confident drive for the fourth time to celebrate his maiden Test century. His teammates burst into applause, but Reddy remained grounded and credited his No. 11 partner Mohammed Siraj for his role in the milestone.
“The crowd went wild when Siraj defended the last three balls of Cummins’ over,” Reddy said with a laugh. “I think this moment was even louder than my centenary celebration! But I have to thank him. Without his courage I wouldn’t have been able to reach my hundred.”
Reddy also revealed how surreal it felt to share the pitch with his idol. Virat Kohli. “I have been watching Virat since childhood and have taken inspiration from him – it is a dream to play with him. When he scored a century in Perth I was the non-striker and I was so proud. For him to come and say, ‘You played really well and got the team back in the game,’ is a moment I will cherish forever.”
Strategic brilliance and personal growth
Nitish Kumar Reddy is one of the few Indian batters who could play Scott Boland well. He constantly went against him to disrupt his rhythm. “Boland’s consistency is his strength,” explained Reddy. “So I tried to move forward to match his line and length. It worked for me.”
However, Reddy remains critical of his bowling efforts. With just three wickets in four Tests and an average of 49, he acknowledges room for improvement. “My goal was to be an absolute all-rounder. I’m not happy with my bowling at the moment. I know I have to work harder to fill this role for the team.”
The journey behind fame
Reddy’s meteoric rise is not an overnight success. After his first IPL season, he identified gaps in his game and took advantage of every available moment to hone his skills. “The work I have done over the last two to three years is now paying off. It wasn’t about short-term solutions; It was about long-term improvement,” he shared.
He believes fitness is the backbone of his success as an all-rounder. “I put in constant effort and it was worth it. This tour has been an incredible experience, but I am determined to continue to grow and contribute more.”
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