Tears rolled down Ravi Shastri’s eyes the moment Nitish Kumar Reddy lofted Scott Boland over mid-wicket for a boundary to reach his maiden international hundred against Australia on Day 3 of the fourth Test. Coming in when India were six down at 191 Saturday morning, in reply to Australia’s 474, Reddy played the innings of his lifetime, which will be remembered for years to come.
Aling with Washington Sundar, Reddy forged 127 runs for the eighth wicket, thus keeping India in the game. While Sundar was dismissed for 50, Reddy survived several nervy moments to reach his magical three figures – the most defining moment for India in the series – and brought the whole crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on their feet.
Like the whole MCG crowd, the commentary box, consisting former India cricketers Irfan Pathan, Shastri and TV presented Jatin Sapru, also erupted in joy. It also reflected the significance of Reddy’s hundred in the Test match for the visitors who were on the backfoot on Day 2.
While Pathan and Sapru soaked in with Reddy’s hundred, Shastri said, “Yeh aankon mein aansoo wala 100 hai, sirf pitaji ka nahi mere khyal pura crowd jo yahan pe hai sabke aankh mein aansu honge,” (This is a tearful moment, not just for his Dad, but I believe everyone in the crowd here will have tears in their eyes).”
Soon after reaching his maiden ton, Reddy went down on one knee, balanced his helmet on the top of his bat, and expressed gratitude towards the Indian dugout, who gave him a standing ovation.
India are still 116 runs behind
In reply to Australia’s total India are 358/9 with the 21-year-old Reddy batting on an unbeaten 105 off 176 balls, and Mohammed Siraj batting on 2 not out. At stumps, India were trailing the hosts by 116 runs.
Thanks to Reddy-Sundar stand, India not only avoided the follow-on but also managed to inch closer to the Australian total after starting the day 310 runs in arrears and with their top five batters back in dressing room.
