India’s rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered an announcement efficiency on Day 3 of the continued fourth Take a look at in opposition to Australia, as he silenced his critics along with his maiden Take a look at century on the iconic Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG) in Melbourne on December 28.
The 21-year-old showcased his expertise and composure underneath stress, remaining unbeaten on 105 at stumps. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s sensible knock was instrumental in India reaching 385/9 on the stumps on Day 3 in response to Australia’s first-innings whole of 474 within the ongoing Boxing Day Take a look at.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s beautiful century silences critics in fashion on the MCG
He was additionally concerned in a vital 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who chipped in with a gritty fifty in Melbourne. Sundar and Reddy’s stand for the eighth wicket helped stabilize India’s innings after a shaky begin and gave the guests a combating probability within the ongoing fourth Take a look at in opposition to Australia.
Learn Additionally: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s MCG ton declared one of many biggest by Sunil Gavaskar however with an enormous warning
The record-breaking century holds even larger significance for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been spectacular because the first Take a look at with the bat, because it got here within the wake of criticism from former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who had questioned his place in Workforce India.
Can we get 120 from anyone who bats at no. 8? Sanjay Manjrekar questions Reddy’s means
Earlier than the beginning of the Boxing Day Take a look at, Sanjay Manjrekar had expressed doubts about Reddy being thought of an all-rounder, as he felt it was too early to label. Nonetheless, Reddy’s distinctive efficiency on the MCG proved his mettle and justified his inclusion within the enjoying XI.
Sanjay Manjrekar had mentioned throughout an interplay on ESPNcricinfo: “See, there isn’t any doubting the potential he has and the way good he has performed. However can we get 120 from anyone who bats at no. 8? He’s clearly not a bowler who can get you a seven-wicket haul like Shardul Thakur. Is he, at this stage, ok to be pushed up the order and performed as a pure batter by dropping somebody out of shape? Then you’ll be able to add an additional bowler. His bowling is just not ok to play him as a bowling all-rounder. It’s too early to contemplate him as a batting all-rounder.”
PUMA trolls Sanjay Manjrekar as Nitish Kumar Reddy’s knock speaks louder than phrases
Now, following his beautiful maiden Take a look at century on the MCG, PUMA determined to provide Sanjay Manjrekar a style of his personal medication publicly for underestimating Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioning his place within the Take a look at XI.
Learn Additionally: Nitish Kumar Reddy dedicates maiden Take a look at ton to his father, posts hilarious message for Mohammed Siraj
Notably, Reddy is sponsored by PUMA, and the model didn’t miss the possibility to again their star participant, however they’re even too cool in taking revenge. On social media platform X, PUMA Cricket trolled Manjrekar by replying to one of many former Indian batter and commentator’s previous tweets about Reddy.
PUMA posted an image from an official photoshoot the place Nitish Reddy is seen making a ‘shushing’ gesture to take a brutal dig at Manjrekar following the all-rounder’s unbelievable century that silenced many critics.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/MhCQ0ZBc7L
— PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
Notably, Indian selectors had made a daring name by selecting Reddy, who was averaging 21 after 21 first-class matches, for the high-profile BGT 2024-25, however he justified his choice along with his outstanding performances in his maiden Take a look at sequence. He’s presently India’s main run scorer within the ongoing five-match Take a look at sequence with 284 runs in 4 innings to this point.
