Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a valiant hundred to lead India's fightback in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against Australia on Saturday, December 28. With India's backs against the walls at 191/6 after Rishabh Pant's wicket, Reddy put up a batting masterclass at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to keep the visitors alive in the game.
En route to his hundred, Reddy has shattered a world record at the iconic 'G. His unbeaten 105 from 176 deliveries is now the highest score at the venue from a No.8 or lower batter in the history of the format. The previous record belonged to former Australian batter Reggie Duff, who had made 104 in a Test against England in 1902.
Reddy has become only the fourth batter, and first visiting, to hit a century at the MCG from No.8 or lower. Apart from him and Duff, Jack Gregory and Ray Lindwall are the only other players to slam a ton at No.8 or lower at the venue.
Highest scores by batters at No.8 or lower at the MCG:
1 - Nitish Kumar Reddy: 105* vs AUS in 2024 Test
2 - Reggie Duff: 104 vs ENG in 1902 Test
3 - Jack Gregory: 100 vs ENG in 1920 Test
4 - Ray Lindwall: 100 vs ENG in 1947 Test
Meanwhile, at 21y and 214d, Reddy is the third youngest Indian to hit a hundred in Australia. Only India legend Sachin Tendulkar (18y 253d) and Rishabh Pant (21y 91d) are younger Indians to hit a ton in Australia.
Reddy's century took India out of major trouble, although the Aussies are still firm favourites to win the Test. India had started the day on 164/5 with Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the middle. Pant was dismissed on 28 when he bottled up an attempted scoop off Scott Boland to third-man, while Jadeja was trapped in front for 17 off Nathan Lyon.
Reddy and Washington Sundar joined hands at 221/7 and put up 127 for the eighth wicket before Lyon got Sundar on 50. Jasprit Bumrah was caught behind in slips off Pat Cummins for a duck but Reddy got to his ton with a four off Boland as bad light ended the day with India on 358/9 and 116 behind.
