Nitish Reddy’s mature maiden Test century helps fans end day with positive emotions

The emotional roller-coaster that Nitish Kumar Reddy took everyone with his maiden Test century on Saturday did more than its bit to wrest the focus away from angry responses to Rishabh Pant’s dismissal. It is just as well that fans were able to celebrate a hundred and end the day with beautiful emotions rather than linger in anger, bitterness and frustration. The remarkable part of Nitish Reddy’s knock was the mental battle he won in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground with a show of discipline. Walking in at 191 for six and with the possibility of India conceding a huge lead, he showed an acute awareness of the match situation in embracing an approach that would have done seasoned bats proud. 

There was no doubt that the team was facing a stiff challenge in the wake of Rishabh Pant’s fall, a manufactured dismissal as some have already labeled it. But with great commitment and immense control, Nitish Kumar built on his confidence and self-belief to help the team claw back from the precipice.

Of course, he will want to give a fair share of the credit to Washington Sundar. The left-hander’s own measured approach would have helped Nitish Reddy embrace a deep sense of calm during their 127-run eighth wicket partnership. Washington Sundar’s unhurried stay in the middle rubbed off on Nitish Reddy’s decision to eschew urgency and rash strokes. 

He scored at a brisk pace in each of his four innings in the Perth and Adelaide Tests but showed he could shift to lower gear in Brisbane. Had he adopted an aggressive countenance, he may have  ended up placing the team in a more precarious position than it finds itself at the end of the third day. It is this maturity that earned him the reward of the maiden Test century.

More than anything else, the innings is perhaps an indication of the fact that not all youngsters are influenced by white-ball cricket and the money that the shortest format of the game brings along these days. The batter from Visakhapatnam and his coaches can take credit for inculcating a love for days’ cricket.

The drama grew when Nitish Reddy got closer to the landmark. He seemed comfortable taking singles – and in refusing them in Jasprit Bumrah’s company after Washington Sundar was dismissed by Nathan Lyon. The cameras brought home visuals of Nitish Reddy’s father, Muthyala Reddy, to add a perspective that all parents, not just sports parents, would relate to.

Having turned down a couple of singles, it was a bit surprising that the Indians scampered across to complete two runs off the last ball of Scott Boland’s over. He raised a gloved palm to the helmet in an indication that he had realised the mistake. His worst fears came true as, batting at 99, he watched Pat Cummins bring himself on and have Jasprit Bumrah caught at first slip. 

The three deliveries that No. 11 Mohammed Siraj endured would have left many a finger nail out of shape. As the first ball whizzed past the outside edge of Siraj’s bat, Nitish Reddy’s heart would have skipped a beat or two. The Hyderabadi ducked under a short ball and comfortably defended the last delivery to send the MCG crowd in raptures.

As they walked back to the safety of the dressing room, Australian cricketers congratulate him for his battling century. The images of hard-nosed Australians acknowledging his combative and rewarding effort were enough to show that he secured their respect as a competitive cricketer, one who they may pay greater attention to.

It has been said that it is tough for cricketers to find unconditional acceptance in the dressing room and walls come crashing down as soon as a command performance is turned in on the field. It is said to be tougher still for the cricketers to earn the respect of the opposition. On Saturday, Nitish Reddy earned a place in the hearts of lovers of India cricket around the world. 

Indeed, the 21-year-old has earned his stripes. But from what we have seen and read about his approach to cricket, he will perhaps be the first to remind himself that he has a long way to go. And that can only be music to the ears of diehard fans of Test cricket who will look forward to watching his evolution. This knock may have given but a glimpse of his mettle.