On Saturday, December 28, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Nitish Reddy hit a combative tonne on Day 3 of the fourth Test match against Australia, keeping India in the hunt.
With Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, the visitors began Day 3 at 164/5. Pant was the first to leave, having contributed 27 runs to the overnight total. The wicketkeeper-batter tried to play a scoop down to fine-leg, but all he could do was hit Scott Boland with a top-edge that went right to Nathan Lyon at third man.
Jadeja and Nitish formed a 30-run partnership after Nitish joined him in the middle. Nathan Lyon then trapped Jadeja in front of the stumps. With 54 runs remaining to escape the follow-on, India was at a dismal 221/7 at this point.
Together, Washington Sundar and Nitish put together an incredible 127-run partnership off 285 balls. Nitish attacked the Australian spinners while Sundar played cautiously. After a while, Lyon ended the partnership by dismissing the all-rounder from Tamil Nadu for a 50 off 162 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah was barely able to endure three deliveries as he walked out to bat. With Nitish stuck on 99 at the other end, Pat Cummins defeated the Indian vice-captain. Mohammed Siraj had to withstand three deliveries from the Australian captain, and he succeeded.
Nitish Reddy reached the enchanted three-figure threshold in the next over by lofting Boland over mid-on for a boundary with just three deliveries.
Due to poor lighting, the umpires removed the players shortly after this historic occasion. As Stumps were drawn, rain also came later. India was remained 116 runs behind Australia’s first innings total at 358/9 at the end of the day. With 105 off 176 deliveries, 10 fours, and one six, Nitish was still undefeated.
Here’s a look at how ‘X’ users reacted to all the action on Day 3:
It’s truly magnificent to see young players like Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy stepping up in challenging situations where even the seniors are struggling. The grit and determination they show give us so much hope for the future of Indian cricket. 🇮🇳🔥 #AUSvsIND #INDvsAUS #BGT2025 pic.twitter.com/K65hXzXsjN
— Dhiraj Jha (@imjhadhiraj) December 28, 2024
Constantly amazed by these young Indian players, born in T20 times, but still…oh so desperate, for Test match success. Jaiswal, Gill, Washy & now, this new revelation Nitish Kumar Reddy! 👏👏👏🙇🙇
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 28, 2024
On public demand This is for Nitish Kumar reddy. Well played youngster 👏 so proud of you 💯 pic.twitter.com/F6e4T9XEkJ
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 28, 2024
Congratulations to Nitish kumar reddy on scoring his first century. This remarkable achievement reflects hard work and dedication. We look forward to witnessing more successes in your career. Keep inspiring us all. pic.twitter.com/fjhe7iN8T9
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) December 28, 2024
What a proud feeling 🥹👏 #NitishKumarReddy #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PEJOlQ3mdx
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) December 28, 2024
This hundred, this iconic moment, this courageous talent of #IndianCricket will be remembered for ages! What an innings! I am getting very emotional. I know the entire nation too are in same mode. What a player! Take a bow #NitishKumarReddy! You are a champion in the making…… pic.twitter.com/eWrbFwXFid
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) December 28, 2024
Find of series : Nitish
Flop of Series : Pant ,Rohit even Kohli #INDvsAUS— wanderer (@leokhushi) December 28, 2024
In Last 5 Years One Reddy Destroyed AP,
Now One Reddy from Andhra Pradesh Making INDIA Proud 🔥🔥#NitishKumarReddy #Nitish#INDvsAUS— Naa_istam (@naa_instam) December 28, 2024
When India is fighting for qualifying WTC.. Rishab pant played a shot which was not required. India respects talents. But Attitude is also important. #INDvsAUS #BGT2025
— Ashis kar (@ashiskar02) December 28, 2024
A Class Apart in the Maidan! Celebrating his stellar Test centuries that showcase grit, determination, and pure skill at the crease. 🏏🔥#nitishkumarreddy#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/j2hgJefrxH
— Dilip Jain ✨𝒟𝓙✨ (@dilipjain077) December 28, 2024