Boria Majumdar in Melbourne
Rishabh Pant had just played a shot that he’d not want to remember. India were still less than 200 and the sixth wicket had fallen. There was a familiar dejection among the Indian fans in the stands. Yet again, the batting had failed and Australia were poised to take a 200-plus lead. And, in such a scenario, the game was all but done.
Walk in Nitish Kumar Reddy. The very first shot he played was one of confidence. Here was an in-form player who meant business. He wasn’t overawed by Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc steaming in and nor was he bothered about the huge MCG crowd. He was intent on taking calculated risks and the straight six of Nathan Lyon was evidence of his mindset. Even when he lost Ravindra Jadeja at the other end a little before lunch, Reddy was unfazed. With Washington Sundar in tow, he had started the rescue act.
Post lunch, I for one, felt Reddy and Sundar would attack the old ball and try and get a few more runs before the second new ball was taken. It was a thought born out of fear. For Reddy and Sundar, it just did not matter. They negotiated the second new ball with ease and soon after, settled in to play some fantastic shots.
First, the follow-on was saved and then, all of a sudden, there was a sense of anticipation everywhere. Australian fans eagerly waiting to see Sam Konstas bat again were seeing something very different. Two young and brave Indian batters, fighting it out and not prepared to give an inch. Even after the rain interruption, when Australia had time to regroup, Reddy and Sundar were not remotely perturbed.
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With singular purpose and commitment, they went about their job. Five overs for five runs, and many thought a mistake was round the corner. But they won the patience battle as well. It was Test cricket of the highest standard. Every ball was a spectacle. Bowlers and fielders giving it their all, and two gutsy men resisting with all their might.
Much like he did in 2021 with Shardul Thakur, Sundar played a fantastic hand of 50. In doing so, he helped Reddy go about his job without fear of running out of partners. Finally, when he fell to Lyon India were past 350. But then, Reddy hadn’t reached his 100 yet.
Bumrah did not last long and when Mohammed Siraj, the last man to bat came out, Reddy was not out on 99. For three balls, the entire MCG was praying. Even a few Australian fans I spoke to said they did not want Siraj to get out. Reddy deserved the hundred and the gods couldn’t be as cruel. Siraj, to his credit, played out the balls and Reddy did not waste much time. A four of Scot Boland and the moment had come. A standing ovation from a packed MCG, Reddy had turned a new leaf.
To put it in context — Boxing Day Test, a crowd of 80,000, team in trouble, follow-on not yet saved — and he went on to make a 100 for the ages. A star was born today at the MCG. And this 100 could just be one of many more to come. Well done Reddy and all of us hope that you will keep it going for a little longer tomorrow morning.
Also Read: Nitish Kumar Reddy the show-stealer as India fight back at the MCG