Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Maiden Test Century Moves Father to Tears at MCG
Indian cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy made his maiden Test century during the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, sparking an emotional celebration from his father, Mutyala Reddy. The milestone moment brought tears of joy to Mutyala as he watched his son achieve greatness under immense pressure on the world stage.
Heartwarming Moment as Nitish Reddy Reaches Maiden Century
Batting on 99, Nitish brought up his century in style by hitting a boundary off Scott Boland’s delivery in the 115th over of India’s first innings. The emotional moment was witnessed by his father, Mutyala, whose celebration quickly went viral on social media. A heartwarming video shows Mutyala raising his hands in triumph, tears streaming down his face as he celebrated his son’s remarkable achievement.
Father’s Emotional Reaction Goes Viral on Social Media
Mutyala Reddy’s emotional reaction to his son’s century was widely shared across platforms. The video, which shows him overcome with emotion, captured the essence of a father’s pride and joy. In a post-match interview with cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, Mutyala reflected on the significance of the day, stating:
“Today is a special moment—a special day. We cannot forget this day in our lives,” he said, visibly moved by the occasion.
Nitish Reddy’s Heartfelt Gesture of Gratitude
On the field, Nitish Reddy expressed his gratitude for the moment in an emotional gesture. After reaching his century, he knelt down, placed his helmet on the handle of his bat, and looked skyward in appreciation, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his family throughout his cricketing journey.
Family Sacrifices: Nitish Reddy Opens Up About His Journey
In a previous interview with Indian media, Nitish shared the sacrifices his family made to support his cricketing career. He revealed:
“My father left his job for me, and there has been a lot of sacrifice behind my story. One day, I saw him crying because of the financial problems we were facing, and I was like, this is not how it should be. That day, I got serious about cricket. I gave my first jersey to him and saw the happiness on his face,” Nitish said, reflecting on the hardships that shaped his resolve to pursue cricket.”
Nitish Reddy’s Remarkable Performance in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Since making his international debut in October, Nitish has been a standout performer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He is currently India’s leading run-scorer in the series, amassing 284 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 71.00. His consistency has been key to India’s success in the series.
A Fearless Approach: Nitish Reddy’s Attacking Batting Style
In his latest innings, Reddy showed a mature and attacking approach to batting. He surpassed Ravindra Jadeja’s score despite the latter’s 35-ball head start. Reddy then played a sublime back-foot drive off Mitchell Starc to bring up his half-century. His fearless batting was evident as he stepped out to Nathan Lyon, hitting the off-spinner for a six.
Washington Sundar’s Supportive Role in Crucial Partnership
Nitish’s batting partner, Washington Sundar, played a vital role in India’s innings. Sundar showed patience, scoring his first boundary off Mitchell Starc on his 103rd ball. His elegant drive was a highlight before his innings came to an end when Lyon generated extra bounce, leading to a sharp catch by Steven Smith at slip.
Australia Faces Challenges: Mitchell Starc’s Injury Concerns
The day wasn’t without its challenges for Australia. Mitchell Starc, who bowled tirelessly across 25 overs, appeared to be struggling with a back issue. Despite his discomfort, Starc continued to bowl at a good pace, though concerns remain about the quicks’ workload ahead of the final Test in Sydney.
Key Turning Point: Reddy and Sundar Frustrate Australia
The eighth-wicket partnership between Reddy and Washington Sundar proved to be a turning point in the match. Their determined efforts frustrated the Australian bowlers, helping India stay in contention and providing a glimmer of hope for a strong performance in the final stages of the Test.
Key Performance Stats of Nitish Kumar Reddy in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 284 runs |
| Innings Played | 6 innings |
| Batting Average | 71.00 |
| Highest Score | 120 (Maiden Century) |
| Number of Boundaries | 38 boundaries |
| Strike Rate | 58.34 |
| Total Sixes | 4 sixes |
