A gloomy morning turned into a day of dreams as 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy scored his first Test century at the packed MCG with his father Mutayala Reddy present. As Nitish executed the lifted on-drive to surpass the century mark, 60,000 spectators cheered loudly, yet one individual in the crowd couldn’t contain his tears. His father, a man who had exchanged his own aspirations for his son’s, observed with pride rising in each pulse of his heart.
Let’s prepare the scene. India was on the brink, shaking at 191/6, facing the threat of an Australian bowling attack on Day 2. Nitish entered at No. 8 – not to cheers, but to nervousness. The stakes were at an all-time high. A fresh ball twisted, Pat Cummins bellowed, and Nathan Lyon wove traps of trickery. By stumps, India had fought its way to 358/9, and the lad with a bat had matured into a legendary figure.
There were grins as well. Nitish’s festivities – a tribute to his heritage with the “Pushpa” film gesture – added a taste of home to an unfamiliar place. It wasn’t merely a playful homage; it served as a reminder of the child who once frolicked in gully cricket, envisioning grand dreams.
The narrative of his father brings an additional depth of emotion. Mutayala Reddy departed from his position at Hindustan Zinc in 2016 to guide Nitish’s abilities. The journey was not simple. There were restless nights, skipped meals, and numerous sacrifices. Yet as Mutayala stood in the stands, observing his son’s bat touch the century milestone, all his sacrifices quickly seemed like fate.
“To be truthful, I didn’t take things seriously when I was younger.” My dad gave up his career for me, and there has been significant sacrifice in my journey. One day, I saw him in tears over the financial issues we were dealing with, and I thought this isn’t right; my father made sacrifices while you play cricket merely for enjoyment. “During that period, I became determined and achieved growth; I put in effort and it bore fruit,” Nitish stated.
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Nitish’s remarkable rescue act at MCG
Nitish’s 105 from 171 balls was more than just a rescue; it was a masterclass. It was the type of innings that cricket’s mythology adores. Partnering with Washington Sundar, their 127-run partnership epitomized sheer defiance. Together, they pulled India back into the match.
However, the figures reveal just part of the narrative. Nitish’s century wasn’t merely a statistical oddity – the first No. 8 batsman to make a century at the MCG – it was a tapestry of perseverance created against the expansive backdrop of the Australian sun. As he approached 99, a silence descended upon the MCG. The excitement, the suspense, the shared breathlessness. And then, a ride, gentle as summer shower. Limit! Century! The audience exploded with excitement. Nitish crouched, eyes shut, bat lifted towards the sky. In that instant, his father’s sacrifices were quietly recognized.
