Nitish Kumar Reddy Hits Maiden Test Century at the Iconic MCG on Boxing Day

Nitish Kumar Reddy made history on the third day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scoring his first-ever international century.

In a high-pressure situation, Reddy’s innings of resilience saw him reach his maiden Test century in 171 balls, a feat celebrated across the cricketing world.

Reddy’s unbeaten 105 at stumps on Day Three is now the highest score by a No. 8 or lower batter in Tests at the MCG. He surpassed the previous record of 104 by Australian Reggie Duff in 1902.

Setting Records at No. 8

Reddy joined a select group of visiting players who have scored centuries while batting at No. 8 or lower in Australia. This list includes four others, but Reddy is the first Indian to achieve this milestone.

Previously, Anil Kumble’s 87 in Adelaide in 2008 was the highest by an Indian at this position in Australia.

Additionally, Reddy became only the second Indian to score a century while batting at No. 8 or lower against Australia, following Wriddhiman Saha’s 117 in Ranchi in 2017.

A Partnership That Changed the Game

Reddy and Washington Sundar formed a crucial 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket, the third-highest for India against Australia.

This stand trails only the 140-run partnership between MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 2013 Chennai Test and the 129-run stand by Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh in the 2008 Sydney Test.

This partnership was also significant in the context of away matches, ranking as the fourth-highest for India for the eighth or lower wicket.

It marked only the third time in 25 years that two players batting at No. 8 or lower faced over 150 balls in a Test innings.

A Rising Star in Indian Cricket

At just 21 years and 214 days, Reddy became the third-youngest Indian to score a Test hundred in Australia, following Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 253 days) and Rishabh Pant (21 years, 91 days).

He is also the third-youngest visiting batter to achieve this milestone at the MCG.

Reddy became only the second Indian batter to score their maiden Test century at the MCG, following Vinoo Mankad in 1948. He is the first visiting batter to do so since South Africa’s JP Duminy in 2008.

A Series of Sixes

Reddy’s performance throughout the series has been remarkable. His tally of eight sixes is the joint-highest for a visiting batter in a Test series in Australia.

This record was previously held by Michael Vaughan during the 2002-03 Ashes and Chris Gayle in 2009-10.

A Session of Resilience

Reddy and Sundar’s partnership during the second session of Day Three was crucial in stabilizing India’s innings. Starting at 244/7, the duo added 82 runs in 24 overs without losing a wicket.

The partnership ensured India avoided the follow-on and crossed the 300-run mark.

Steve Smith’s dropped catch early in the session proved costly, as Sundar and Reddy capitalized on the opportunity. Reddy reached his maiden Test fifty in the 83rd over, growing in confidence with each run.

Weather Interruptions and Strategic Play

As the conditions in Melbourne deteriorated due to drizzle, the umpires called an early tea. By this point, India stood at 326/7, with Reddy unbeaten at 85 and Sundar contributing 40 runs.

A Legacy Begins

Reddy’s innings will be remembered as a turning point in the match and a milestone in Indian cricket history. His grit and determination not only revived India’s innings but also earned him a place among the sport’s rising stars.