India allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy scored his maiden Test hundred during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne against Australia. It was a proud moment for Reddy as he carried India single-handedly on his own.
After he completed his century, Reddy’s father Mutyala Reddy was quite emotional. He was there in the MCG stands along with the friends and the other members of the family. He spoke to Adam Gilchrist after the end of the day’s play.
Also read: Nitish Kumar Reddy becomes first Indian to achieve this huge milestone following maiden Test century
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father breaks silence on nervous moments before his son’s hundred
While speaking to Fox Sports after the match, Nitish Kumar Reddy called it a special moment for the whole family. He accepted that he was nervous before the hundred and was constantly praying for his son’s century.
“For our family, it’s a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life. He has been performing well since the age group of 14-15, and now in international cricket, it’s a very special feeling,” said Mutyala Reddy.
“I was very tensed. Only the last wicket was remaining. Thankfully Siraj managed to survive,” he added, referring to Mohammed Siraj, who successfully blocked three balls from Pat Cummins to give Reddy a chance to hit a ton.
Father of Nitish Kumar Reddy said “It’s a special moment for our family, first hundred”. pic.twitter.com/95T3HreCTL
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 28, 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father said – “It’s Very very special moment for me. I was very nervous and tensed and I was praying for him”. pic.twitter.com/5oLpTrO081
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) December 28, 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father said, “I was very nervous when he was at 99*, I was constantly praying for my kid’s century”. pic.twitter.com/dyyBIUcSmz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 28, 2024
Mutyala Reddy reveals Virat Kohli’s golden advice
Further speaking on his feelings after Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden international century, Mutyala Reddy claimed that the youngster has worked hard to get to this point. He thanked God and also called Virat Kohli as his idol. He also revealed the advice that Nitish received from Kohli.
“It is an unbelievable feeling. Can’t express it. He has worked very hard for this day. He has given us the best Christmas and New Year’s Gift. I thank God. Virat (Kohli) is his idol, he told Nitish, there’s no substitute for hard work,” Mutyala Reddy revealed as quoted by RevSportz.
It is an unbelievable feeling. Can’t express it. He has worked very hard for this day. He has given us the best Christmas and New Year’s Gift. I thank God. Virat is his idol, he told Nitish, there’s no substitute for hard work: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father.
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) December 28, 2024
Nitish Kumar Reddy has previously revealed that he considers Virat Kohli as his idol. He even received his maiden Test cap in Perth from Kohli. Reddy has been excellent for India with the bat so far this series and has made some vital contributions down the order.
Excellent knock from Nitish Kumar Reddy
Meanwhile, it was an excellent knock from Nitish Kumar Reddy which came in when the team was under huge pressure at 191-6. India had just lost Rishabh Pant in a highly critical situation and Australia sensed an opportunity to knock off India’s tail.
However, Reddy had other ideas. As he has done all throughout the series, he was positive in his batting display and played some fearless shots. He mostly played to the merit of the ball and also showed that he has a good defence.
The youngster was excellent against both fast bowling and spin bowling. He countered the world-class Australian bowlers extremely well and didn’t give his wicket away. Despite Jadeja being dismissed and India 53 runs behind the follow-on target, Reddy was calm at the crease.
He stitched an excellent partnership of 127 runs with Washington Sundar to take India to a much better position. By the end of the day, India were 358-9 and were still 116 runs behind Australia’s total. Reddy was still batting unbeaten on 105 off 176 balls.
