Australia vs India Boxing Day Test 2024 | Nitish Kumar Reddy ...
In his fourth Test, India's Nitish Kumar Reddy has flipped the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on its head after hitting his maiden century.
Reddy came in with India 6-191 on day three at the MCG and in deep trouble after Australia's 474.
The 21-year-old then saw Ravindra Jadeja depart at 7-221 before he combined with Washington Sundar (50) for a 127-run partnership.
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Reddy then attempted to hog the strike with Jasprit Bumrah but was then on 99 not out at the other end with Pat Cummins bowling.
Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrates his ton while his father, Mutyala, cries in the stands. Getty
Cummins dismissed Bumrah, leaving Mohammed Siraj with three balls to face. Siraj survived and the next over Reddy hit Scott Boland over his head for four to bring up the maiden ton.
"A victory for old school technique, he kept the bat face open," Kerry O'Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
"There's a lot of Kohli, KL Rahul with his technique. He's held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the balance because of that innings ... the question is can they still hang on?"
Reddy's achievement was made even sweeter by the fact his father, Mutyala Reddy, was captured in the stands with tears in his eyes.
Indian legend Ravi Shastri described the moment as "the icing on the cake".
After Reddy's century, a combination of rain and bad light led to stumps being called with the young star on 105 not out.
India are currently 9-358, trailing by 116 runs.
