Nitish Reddy, an unknown entity in red ball cricket before the start of Border-Gavaskar series, virtually bailed India out with his dogged maiden Test century here on Saturday, severely denting Australia's hopes of winning the Boxing Day contest. Reddy's unbeaten 105 took India to 358 for nine, still 116 runs short of Australia's first innings score of 474 as rain brought an early end to the third day's play. With the flat MCG deck not offering much to the bowlers, saving the Test match shouldn't be a big deal for India. Reddy, easily India's 'find of the series', played a pivotal role in visitors' fightback. Reddy's combative spirit and the invaluable 127-run stand he shared with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls) proved to be the turning point for the hosts. Reddy's innings was termed as one of greatest Test knocks by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar given the situation as India were in a precarious position after Rishab Pant's dismissal courtesy a rash shot had left India tottering at 191 for six. The young Andhra batter could have been stranded on 99 when Jasprit Bumrah got dismissed, leaving Reddy with last-man in Mohammed Siraj, who walked in to another round of boos and faced three deliveries from home skipper Pat Cummins. Both Reddy and his father Muthyala's expressions changed with each ball but Siraj survived to allow Reddy savour the moment he must have dreamt a thousand times. A picture-perfect straight drive off Scott Boland was the moment of the series for India as Reddy balanced his helmet with the bat and took a knee, expressing his gratitude towards the Indian dug-out which gave him a standing ovation. A decade back, when his father Muthyala left a secured job to open a micro-finance (lending) business and incurred losses, the Reddy family was advised not to give wings to young Reddy's cricketing dreams but they were unrelenting. Sitting in the stands near the boundary, Reddy's father broke down when his son achieved the milestone. As Indian fans clicked selfies with him it must have reminded of the day when his son received the best U-16 cricketer award from the BCCI in 2017, and an impressionable Reddy was seen clicking selfie with his idol Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma while leaving the hotel premises. Reddy's batting was based on stable core, playing the ball late and only going for the drive when the ball was pitched up. He wasn't defending unnecessarily and 10 fours and a six was a testimony to that. If the morning was more about Rishabh Pant's inexplicable shot selection, the afternoon session belonged to Reddy, whose attacking game put the pressure right back on Australia. There were plenty of boundaries and a six off Nathan Lyon but none more gorgeous than the off-drive off Cummins. Reddy has been by far India's most consistent batter in the series and the maiden Test century couldn't have come at a more opportune time and that too at an iconic venue. Washington, at the other end, grew in confidence and trusted his defence apart from punishing the loose deliveries. It did help that the drop-in surface at the MCG has got better for batting as the match progressed. The second new ball did very little for Australian bowlers and the Indian duo ran very well between the wickets. With Mitchell Starc's back acting up a little, the two batters looked to reduce the deficit further. In the morning it was all about Pant's shot selection that hurt India. The third day's MCG track is perhaps the best to bat on with green grass making way for a brownish tinge and an old Kookaburra hardly doing anything. Had Pant stuck around, there was no way he wouldn't have scored big. Pant did start well and got a few boundaries but then the urge to play the falling lap pull over long-leg brought about his dismissal. When he tried it for the first time off Scott Boland, who came round the wicket, Pant was hit in the naval area and seemed to be in pain. He got up but didn't realise that Cummins had placed one fielder at deep fine-leg and one at deep third man for both the conventional and reverse lap shot. Without learning his lessons or caring about success percentage, Pant tried a similar shot but the extra bounce meant that the top edge flew to third man for a regulation catch. "If there was a word called 'worstest', then this was one such shot," former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar said on air. But Reddy showed steely resolve as he started with a punchy off-drive off Lyon and also jumped down the track to loft him over for a straight six during a splendid recovery act. (With agency inputs)
28 December,2024 01:06 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentWhen Nitish Kumar Reddy struck his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, a wave of relief seemed to sweep over him, signaling his arrival on the grand stage. The scenes following the early stumps on Day 3 were profoundly emotional, with Reddy’s family, brimming with pride and joy, beamed with smiles as they celebrated his historic feat. The century was particularly significant as it arrived at a critical juncture when India was battling the relentless Australian attack, with the top-order faltering under pressure. Batting at number eight in an Indian line-up that has largely struggled for runs, Reddy has been a shining light in his debut series. Also Read: Nitish Reddy’s father in tears as son slams historic maiden Test century: WATCH The 21-year-old's 264 runs have come at an average of 66, although he had fallen narrowly short of 50 on several occasions. He mixed resolute defence with some classical straight-bat stroke play in facing 119 balls, scoring eight fours and a six -- the eighth time he has cleared the ropes this series. Nitish, who had once been a carefree child, could not ignore the toll that his passion for cricket was taking on his father. Reflecting on that moment, Reddy shared in an interview with bcci.tv, “To be honest, I wasn’t that serious when I was young. My father left his job for me. There has been lots of sacrifice in my story. One day, I saw him crying due to the financial struggles he was facing, and it felt like I had to do the hard work.” He continued, “Like, your father made this sacrifice, and you’re just enjoying cricket for fun. That’s when I took it seriously. Suddenly, in one year, I made significant progress, put in the hard work, and it paid off.” That hard work reached its zenith on Saturday at the MCG when Nitish finally brought up his long-awaited three-figure score.
28 December,2024 01:00 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentWhen Nitish Kumar Reddy slammed his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a sense of relief washed over him, and it was evident that he had truly arrived on the big stage. However, the century was not merely a personal milestone, it stood as a testament to his relentless dedication and the unwavering support of his father. Nitish's journey is one marked by sacrifice and the incredible strength of perseverance. Yet, if there is one person who has played the leading role in this story, it is his father, Mutyala Reddy. "Everyone wants to be a hero in their cinema, but when it comes to Nitish's story, it is Mutyala who is the hero," said childhood coach Kumar Swamy in an interview with theindianexpress.com. "It is his father's hard work that fuels Nitish to achieve something in life. He witnessed everything his father had gone through. There was significant criticism, even from close family members, about him not having a job and wasting his time. But his father never gave up." NITISH CENTURY!A glorious lofted drive brings up the milestone!His dad in tears in the stands, what a moment 🙌#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/W1SJNHlN4J — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2024 Nitish kumar reddy's father reaction when his son played a shot in air while on 97 runs.#INDvsAUS #nitishkumarreddy #BoxingDayTest #WashingtonSundar pic.twitter.com/TPC3oFVXxk — 🏏CricketFeed (@CricketFeedIN) December 28, 2024 - Sacrificed his job.- Retired 25 years early.- Gave his full attention to Nitish Kumar Reddy.- Took him to training and gave all the facilities he could despite financial conditions.THIS IS HOW A PROUD FATHER LOOKS LIKE WHEN HIS DREAMS TURNS INTO A REALITY...!!! 🙇♂️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/uc5hnjAtC3 — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 28, 2024 Mutyala’s decision to leave a stable job in order to support his son's uncertain cricketing dreams invited harsh criticism, even from those closest to him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nitish (@nitish_kumar_reddy_7) Nitish, who had once been a carefree child, could not ignore the toll that his passion for cricket was taking on his father. Reflecting on that moment, Reddy shared in an interview with bcci.tv, “To be honest, I wasn’t that serious when I was young. My father left his job for me. There has been lots of sacrifice in my story. One day, I saw him crying due to the financial struggles he was facing, and it felt like I had to do the hard work.” He continued, “Like, your father made this sacrifice, and you’re just enjoying cricket for fun. That’s when I took it seriously. Suddenly, in one year, I made significant progress, put in the hard work, and it paid off.” That hard work reached its zenith on Saturday at the MCG when Nitish finally brought up his long-awaited three-figure score.
28 December,2024 12:06 PM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentYoung Nitish Kumar Reddy led a day three rearguard on Saturday alongside Washington Sundar to complete his maiden Test century in 169 balls as India battled back to 350 for nine in the fourth Test against Australia. In overcast conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reddy posted a maiden Test half-century and was 85 not out before light rain caused tea to be called 15 minutes early. Sundar was equally defiant on 40 off 115 balls in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 105 to leave India still trailing by 148 runs. "𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙟𝙝𝙪𝙠𝙚𝙜𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙝𝙞!" 🔥The shot, the celebration - everything was perfect as #NitishKumarReddy completed his maiden Test fifty! 👏#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 3 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/hupun4pq2N — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2024 The pair batted through the second session in largely untroubled fashion, passing the follow-on mark and seeing off the second new ball to frustrate the home side, who have been in the driving seat since posting 474 in their first innings. They held up Australia's push for a win that would put them 2-1 up going into the fifth and final Test in Sydney next week before Sundar eventually lost his wicket after reaching fifty off 162 balls. Batting at number eight in an Indian line-up that has largely struggled for runs, Reddy has been a shining light in his debut series. The 21-year-old's 264 runs have come at an average of 66, although he had fallen narrowly short of 50 on several occasions. He mixed resolute defence with some classical straight-bat stroke play in facing 119 balls, scoring eight fours and a six -- the eighth time he has cleared the ropes this series.
28 December,2024 11:50 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentYoung all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar led a day three rearguard Saturday as India battled back to 326-7 in the fourth Test against Australia. In overcast conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reddy posted a maiden Test half-century and was 85 not out before light rain caused tea to be called 15 minutes early. Sundar was equally defiant on 40 off 115 balls in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 105 to leave India still trailing by 148 runs. The pair batted through the second session in largely untroubled fashion, passing the follow-on mark and seeing off the second new ball to frustrate the home side, who have been in the driving seat since posting 474 in their first innings. They held up Australia's push for a win that would put them 2-1 up going into the fifth and final Test in Sydney next week. Batting at number eight in an Indian line-up that has largely struggled for runs, Reddy has been a shining light in his debut series. The 21-year-old's 264 runs have come at an average of 66, although he had fallen narrowly short of 50 on several occasions. He mixed resolute defence with some classical straight-bat stroke play in facing 119 balls, scoring eight fours and a six -- the eighth time he has cleared the ropes this series. Shot of the day! 🤌#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 3 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/xkqiT2X2PV — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2024 Among his many impressive strokes, one particular shot stood out—a flawless straight drive that drew comparisons to Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. In the 89th over of India’s innings, Scott Boland delivered a full ball outside the off stump at 130.7 km/h. Reddy leaned into the ball with elegance, executing a perfect straight drive that sent it racing to the boundary. With the full face of the bat meeting the ball sweetly, it was a shot so precise that there was no chance for Boland to intercept it in his follow-through. The fielders didn't even bother to chase the ball, as it was dispatched with such impeccable timing and precision—straight as an arrow. The shot was a thing of beauty, and the crowd, along with Boland, could only stand in admiration of Reddy’s class. It was a boundary that will undoubtedly be remembered for its sheer perfection.
28 December,2024 11:28 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentAustralia's seasoned spinner Nathan Lyon gave his take on the mixup incident between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, which led to the young opener being runout on Day 2 of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG. In pursuit of Australia's imposing total of 474, India looked in control despite losing two early wickets, courtesy of the commanding presence of Kohli and Jaiswal. With India down at 51/2, Kohli and Jaiswal put on a batting masterclass with their elegant strokeplay. The Australian bowlers seemingly looked out of ideas, forcing captain Pat Cummins to adopt a defensive strategy. Even though there were ample runs on the board, Cummins decided to refrain from an aggressive approach against the duo. But all the momentum vanished into thin air in a single moment. Jaiswal drove the ball hard straight to Cummins and set off for a run. Kohli, watching the ball's trajectory, hesitated as Jaiswal continued to run from the other end. Cummins quickly assessed the situation and threw towards the striker's end but missed. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, however, collected the ball and dislodged the bails, ending Jaiswal's promising 82-run knock and denying him a well-deserved century. "It was probably one of the best barbecues I've seen, to be honest with you. It came out of the blue. They were doing it pretty easy out there ... pressure does funny things. Silly run-outs are coach killers, aren't they? It was pretty special," Lyon said on ABC Radio after the play, as quoted from The Sydney Morning Herald. The incident left fans divided, with debates raging over who was at fault. Former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar expressed differing opinions during the post-day analysis. Lyon's compatriot, Steven Smith, shared his views on the incident and said in the post-day press conference, "It looks like Jaiswal called 'yes' and ran, but Virat sent him back. Simple as that. I didn't see much more than that. I was running in, pretty excited. It was a nice wicket. It was really a good partnership. Then getting two more wickets made it a huge last hour for us." Ravindra Jadeja brought the end of the day with a four which raised India to 164/5, trailing by 310 runs. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2024 10:59 AM IST | Melbourne | ANISkipper Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett scored centuries after Sean Williams reached the three-figure mark on the opening day as Zimbabwe posted a massive 586 runs on the second day of the first Test against Afghanistan and claimed two early wickets at the Queens Sports Club here on Friday. This is Zimbabwe's highest-ever Test score against Afghanistan. Sean Williams, who was unbeaten on 145 at the end of the first day, could add only nine more runs to his total when Zimbabwe started at the overnight score of 363/4. But Ervine, who were batting on 56 not out, scored 104 while Bennett contributed an unbeaten 110 as Zimbabwe reached a massive score. They then took further control of the match by claiming two early wickets to reduce Afghanistan to 95/2 in 30 overs. Rahmat Shah was batting on 49 along with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on 16 not out and the onus will be on them to help Afghanistan make a strong replay in their first innings. Starting on 363/4, Afghanistan got early success as Naveed Zadran got Sean Williams for the addition of 20 runs to the score when the seasoned batter fell to a barrage of short-pitched stuff, pulling it straight to Rahmat Shah in the deep. Afghanistan's hopes of more success were delayed by Ervine and Bennett, who shared an 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Ervine completed his century 106 deliveries. He was out soon, edging behind off Zia-ur Rahman for 104 off 176 deliveries, hitting 10 fours. Bennett continued to hold the fort at the other end despite losing Brandon Mavuis for a two-ball duck. He found good support from Newman Nyamhuri (26) and Blessing Muzarsbani as he reached his century off 121 balls. He remained unbeaten with 110 off 124 balls studded with five fours and four sixes as the hosts reached a massive total. In reply, Afghanistan got off to a poor start as they lost debutant Sediqullah Atal (3) in the second over, castled by fellow debutant Trevor Gwandu for three. Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah added 61 runs for the second wicket partnership before Malik fell to Blessing Muzarabani, miscuing a catch to Ben Curran in fine leg region. Afghanistan are still 491 runs behind and will now look up to Rahmat Shah and skipper Shahidi for recovery. Brief scores:Zimbabwe 586 all out in 135.2 overs (Sean Williams 154, Craig Ervine 104, Brian Bennett 110 not out, Ben Curran 68; AM Ghazanfar 3-127, Zia-ur-Rehman 2-101, Naveed Zadran 2-109) lead Afghanistan 95/2 in 30 overs (Rahmat Shah 49 not out, Hashmatullah Shahidi 16 not out; Trevor Gwandu 1-16, Blessing Muzarabani 1-15) by 491 runs. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2024 10:57 AM IST | Bulawayo | IANSFormer Australia opener Matthew Hayden marked the 18th anniversary of Andrew Symonds’ maiden Test century with a heartfelt post, drawing parallels to debutant Sam Konstas’ fearless innings against India in the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Symonds’s 156-run knock at the MCG in 2006, a career-defining performance, remains etched in cricketing lore, and Hayden’s reflections highlighted the connection between that iconic moment and the rise of a new star in Konstas. “18 years ago today, I batted at the MCG with my best mate wearing our baggy green caps for Australia. He made his first Test 100! Watching @samkonstas5 yesterday was exciting, just like I felt standing and watching Simmo batting,” Hayden posted on Instagram. In 2006, Symonds’s 156 off 220 balls against England was a showcase of raw power and determination. Recalled midway through the Ashes series, Symonds brought up his maiden Test hundred in style, lofting Paul Collingwood for six amid roaring applause from the MCG crowd. It was a turning point in his career, as he averaged over 60 for the remainder of his 26-Test journey. His partnership with Hayden and flair for the dramatic made him a fan favourite, with that match also remembered for Shane Warne’s 700th Test wicket. Fast forward to 2024, Sam Konstas’ MCG debut bore echoes of Symonds’s audacity. The 19-year-old smashed a brisk 60 off 65 balls, including audacious reverse scoops off India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas’ innings helped Australia amass 474 in their first innings and etched his name in history as the youngest Australian in over 70 years to score fifty-plus runs on debut against India. After conceding Australia’s imposing total, India’s innings began on a shaky note. Skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply for 3, continuing his poor form in the series. K.L. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal steadied the innings with patient batting, and Jaiswal’s composed 82 became the backbone of India’s reply. Partnering with Virat Kohli, Jaiswal added 102 runs for the third wicket before calamity struck. A mix-up between the two resulted in Jaiswal’s run out, a moment that triggered India’s downfall. Kohli, visibly unsettled, fell soon after for 32, edging Scott Boland to Alex Carey behind the stumps. Nightwatchman Akash Deep was caught down the short fine leg leaving India reeling at 156/5 by stumps on Day 2. The weight of India’s survival now rests on the shoulders of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, both unbeaten overnight, as they aim to bridge the 310-run deficit on Day 3. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
28 December,2024 10:57 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSYoung Nitish Kumar Reddy was going strong on an unbeaten 85 to keep India in the contest against Australia on the third day of the fourth Test on Saturday. Thanks to Reddy's 119-ball knock and Washington Sundar's unbeaten 40, India reached 326 for seven when bad light and a drizzle forced the umpires to take tea before the scheduled time at the MCG. This was after India lost the overnight pair of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja before reaching 244 for seven at lunch. India, who started the day on 164 for five and 310 runs in arrears, were helped by the unbroken 105-run eight-wicket partnership between Reddy and Washington. Earlier in the day, Pant made 28 before giving away his wicket to Scott Boland, while Jadeja was trapped lbw for 17. Brief scores: Australia 1st innings: 474 India 1st innings: 326 for seven in 97 overs (Nitish Reddy batting 85, Yashasvi Jasiwal 82, Washington Sundar batting 40; Scott Boland 3/49)
28 December,2024 09:50 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentThe ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has placed the visitors in a challenging position. Australia posted a commanding total of 474 runs in their first innings, with Steve Smith leading the charge with 140 runs. Debutant Sam Konstas contributed a solid 60, while Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) also made key contributions. In response, the Indian batting lineup has struggled, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal managing to make a significant impact. The team finds itself at 325 for 7, trailing by 149 runs. With seven sessions still to be played, Australia currently hold the upper hand. What happens if India draw in Melbourne? Should India manage a draw, Australia's percentage points (PCT) will drop to 57.29, while India's PCT will also fall to 54.62. In this scenario, a victory in the final Test in Sydney could propel India's PCT past Australia’s, significantly improving their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. However, for Australia to stay ahead, they would need to win both Test matches against Sri Lanka. What happens if India lose in Melbourne? A loss in Melbourne would leave India trailing in the series 1-2, with just the final match in Sydney to play. Such a defeat would substantially diminish India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC Final. India's PCT would drop from 55.88 to 52.78, while Australia’s would rise from 58.89 to 61.45, further consolidating their position at the top of the standings. Can India still qualify for the WTC Final if they lose in Melbourne? Currently placed 3rd in the WTC standings, India would remain in that position despite a loss in Melbourne. However, such a defeat would significantly hurt their prospects. To stay in contention for the WTC Final, India must win the final Test in Sydney and hope for favorable results elsewhere.
28 December,2024 09:25 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentNitish Kumar Reddy reached his maiden half-century in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy, following a series of near-misses with multiple scores in the forties. His landmark achievement came after he drove a boundary off a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc. In a celebratory gesture that caught everyone's attention, Reddy mimicked the iconic Pushpa Raj move from the popular film Pushpa: The Rise, with the bat around his neck. This prompted a reaction from Sunil Gavaskar, who was quick to recognise the reference and remarked, 'O... Pushpa,' on commentary. Nitish Kumar reddy PUSHPA mannerism with bat 😭🔥#Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/15MhTJF39A — Musugu Donga (@MusuguDhonga) December 28, 2024 The line 'Pushpa jhukega nahi sala' from the film, which translates to "Pushpa will never bow down, damn it!", represents the protagonist's unwavering resolve to confront insurmountable challenges without yielding. In a similar vein, Reddy's knock symbolised his resilience in the face of adversity. At just 21 years old, Reddy has now emerged as India's third-highest run-scorer and the fifth-highest scorer in this year's Border Gavaskar Trophy. He has accumulated 240 runs in the series, averaging 60 with a strike rate of 70.38. Reddy’s innings was significant not only for his personal achievement but also for its contribution to India’s fortunes in the match. Coming in with India at 191 for 6, Reddy formed a crucial partnership of over 100 runs with Washington Sundar, rescuing the team from the threat of a follow-on. With India still trailing by more than 150 runs, Reddy and Sundar will have plenty of work ahead of them. However, the pitch in Melbourne has settled, offering the Indian batsmen an opportunity to wear down the Australian pace attack and claw their way back into the contest. More updates to follow...
28 December,2024 09:12 AM IST | Melbourne | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
