Nitish Kumar Reddy followed Sachin Tendulkar as one of India’s youngest centurions in Australia. (AP)
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Saurday hailed all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden Test hundred for India in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Entering at number 8 for India at 191 for six, in their first-innings pursuit of Australia’s 474, Nitish led a remarkable counter for India with the help of a record 127-run stand for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar.
The 22-year-old Andhra reached his century off 171 deliveries shortly before bad light forced early stumps on Day 3. Nitish incidently became the third-youngest Indian after Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant to smash a Test hundred in Australia. Tendulkar, who leads the all-time Test batting charts, lauded Nitish’s temperament and highlighted the Andhra all-rounder’s performance throughout the series.
“A knock to remember by Nitish. He has impressed me right from the 1st Test and his composure and temperament have been on display right through,” Tendulkar wrote on X.
A knock to remember by Nitish. He has impressed me right from the 1st Test and his composure and temperament have been on display right through. Today he took it a notch higher to play a crucial innings in this series. Wonderfully and ably supported by @Sundarwashi5 as well.
Well… pic.twitter.com/XA2asQVphR— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 28, 2024
“Today he took it a notch higher to play a crucial innings in this series. Wonderfully and ably supported by Sundar as well. Well played!” added Tendulkar.
Nitish, who made his debut in the first Test, churned in crucial cameos before converting his maiden half-century into a hundred in Melbourne. Nitish also became India’s second-highest scorer in the series, with 284* runs in six innings.
The century was only Nitish’s second First-Class hundred, having struck a Ranji Trophy century against Bihar earlier this year. Nitish walked back to the pavillion at stumps with racuous applause from a packed MCG crowd with his family in attendance. His teammates also lined up on the boundary line and received him with a standing ovation. “Nitish Reddy is an unbelievable player. Mentally very strong. This century here at MCG will be remembered forever. Nitish is someone who gives 100 percent in everything. That’s his motive in life. It is very pleasing for us to watch,” Sundar told reporters after the day’s play.
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