On December 28, 2024, at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy made history by becoming the youngest Indian cricketer to score a Test century in Australia while batting at No. 8. His unbeaten 105-run innings not only rescued India from a precarious position but also set a new benchmark for lower-order Indian batsmen in Australia.
Reddy’s century was marked by resilience and skill, reaching the milestone with a boundary off Scott Boland in the final session of Day 3 during the fourth Test against Australia. The crowd of nearly 80,000 at the iconic MCG stood in applause as Reddy celebrated by removing his helmet, kneeling, and saluting the sky—a gesture reflecting his dedication and emotion. His father, present in the stands, was visibly moved, shedding tears of joy as he witnessed his son’s remarkable achievement.
Prior to this innings, Reddy had been under scrutiny, with questions raised about his selection and performance. However, his consistent contributions throughout the series, including scores of 41, 38*, and 42 in previous matches, demonstrated his potential and justified the team management’s faith in him.
In this particular innings, Reddy formed a crucial partnership with fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar. Their 129-run stand for the eighth wicket equaled the record for India’s highest eighth-wicket partnership in Australia, previously set by Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh in 2008. This partnership was instrumental in helping India avoid the follow-on and provided a platform for a potential comeback in the Test match.
Reddy’s achievement places him among the youngest Indian centurions in Australia, following legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant. His innings is now the highest score by an Indian batting at No. 8 or lower in Australia, surpassing Anil Kumble’s 87 at Adelaide in 2008.
As the cricketing world celebrates Reddy’s milestone, his performance not only highlights his individual talent but also underscores the depth and resilience of the current Indian squad. With such promising young players stepping up on the international stage, the future of Indian cricket appears bright.
