When the young Nitish Kumar Reddy arrived at the crease at the MCG, Team India were in all sorts of trouble with stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in the hut and starring down at a possible follow-on-prospect. However, the youngster from Hyderabad had other ideas.
Beginning his tour in Perth, Reddy managed to lead the scoring with 41 in the first innings when India was overwhelmed, last man dismissed, then added to the tally in the second innings when India was ahead, remaining not out with 38 from 27 deliveries. In Adelaide, highest score once more, in both innings, with 42. No assistance once more, last person out followed by the second to last. Even in Brisbane, where he scored only 16 runs, he batted for an hour and a quarter as India worked to avoid the follow-on, crucial for them to manage a draw.
In Melbourne, it was a comparable situation: coming in at six wickets down, he was facing a deficit of 283 in the first innings. He had the same benefit as he had experienced in many of his innings, specifically a free hit due to India’s unstable situation. However, this time, he had a fresh addition: a teammate with solid batting experience in Washington Sundar.
Strokeplay of high quality, Reddy has managed to perform this way even when India is frequently in difficulty and relying on him to assist them. They were 73 for 6 in Perth, and he elevated them to 150. They found themselves at 87 for 5 and 105 for 5 in Adelaide when he achieved his former highest Test score in one innings and equaled it in the other. They had a score of 191 for 6 in Melbourne, and he led them beyond 300.
Reddy managed to accomplish what Pant was unable to do. Simply bat based on the circumstances. India required a partnership, and nothing stood in their way to accomplish it. The tone was quite amicable. The bowling was decent but not intimidating. Truly, the only opportunities Australia had to take a wicket – prior to the poorly-timed scoop – were a few mix-ups.
India will be pleased with these runs; the situations surrounding them; the technique in them. The majority of the team, guided by captain Rohit Sharma, was outside the dugout applauding and celebrating with the audience. Eighty-five thousand became highly enthusiastic about the cricket once more, but this time their admiration was focused on the batter; they were eager about his past achievements and potential future performance.
