Nitish Reddy Creates History at No. 8

Nitish Kumar Reddy made history as the first Indian batter to score a century in Australia while batting at No. 8. The 21-year-old reached his ton with a boundary off Scott Boland on Day 3 of the fourth Test at the MCG, earning a thunderous ovation from the 80,000-strong crowd. His emotional celebration, marked by a salute to the heavens, resonated with fans, including his father, who cheered proudly from the stands.

Critics Silenced with a Gritty Knock

Reddy’s selection for the Australian tour raised eyebrows, especially after his debut in Perth, where his bowling failed to impress as a fourth seamer. Despite criticism, head coach Gautam Gambhir stood by him, and Reddy justified the faith with an exceptional knock that showcased resilience and skill.

Record-Breaking Performance.

Reddy’s century set records. He beat Kumble’s 87 as the highest score at No. 8 in Australia. He became the third-youngest Indian to hit a Test ton there.

Youngest Indians to Score a Test Century in Australia:

18y 256d – Sachin Tendulkar (Sydney, 1992)

21y 92d – Rishabh Pant (Sydney, 2019)

21y 216d – Nitish Reddy (Melbourne, 2024)

Highest Scores by Indians at No. 8 or Below in Australia:

105 – Nitish Reddy (Melbourne, 2024 )

87 – Anil Kumble (Adelaide, 2008)

81 – Ravindra Jadeja (Sydney, 2019)

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