India’s rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a statement performance on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia, as he silenced his critics with his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 28.
The 21-year-old showcased his talent and composure under pressure, remaining unbeaten on 105 at stumps. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s brilliant knock was instrumental in India reaching 385/9 at the stumps on Day 3 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 474 in the ongoing Boxing Day Test.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s stunning century silences critics in style at the MCG
He was also involved in a crucial 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 start and gave the visitors a fighting chance in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.
Read Also: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s MCG ton declared one of the greatest by Sunil Gavaskar but with a huge warning
The record-breaking century holds even greater significance for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been impressive since the first Test with the bat, as it came in the wake of criticism from former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who had questioned his place in Team India.
Can we get 120 from somebody who bats at no. 8? Sanjay Manjrekar questions Reddy’s ability
Before the start of the Boxing Day Test, Sanjay Manjrekar had expressed doubts about Reddy being considered an all-rounder, as he felt it was too early to label. However, Reddy’s exceptional performance at the MCG proved his mettle and justified his inclusion in the playing XI.
Sanjay Manjrekar had said during an interaction on ESPNcricinfo: “See, there is no doubting the potential he has and how good he has played. But can we get 120 from somebody who bats at no. 8? He is clearly not a bowler who can get you a seven-wicket haul like Shardul Thakur. Is he, at this stage, good enough to be pushed up the order and played as a pure batter by dropping someone out of form? Then you can add an extra bowler. His bowling is not good enough to play him as a bowling all-rounder. It is too early to consider him as a batting all-rounder.”
PUMA trolls Sanjay Manjrekar as Nitish Kumar Reddy’s knock speaks louder than words
Now, following his stunning maiden Test century at the MCG, PUMA decided to give Sanjay Manjrekar a taste of his own medicine publicly for underestimating Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioning his place in the Test XI.
Read Also: Nitish Kumar Reddy dedicates maiden Test ton to his father, posts hilarious message for Mohammed Siraj
Notably, Reddy is sponsored by PUMA, and the brand didn’t miss the chance to back their star player, but they are even too cool in taking revenge. On social media platform X, PUMA Cricket trolled Manjrekar by replying to one of the former Indian batter and commentator’s old tweets about Reddy.
PUMA posted a picture from an official photoshoot where Nitish Reddy is seen making a ‘shushing’ gesture to take a brutal dig at Manjrekar following the all-rounder’s incredible 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 bold call by picking Reddy, who was averaging 21 after 21 first-class matches, for the high-profile BGT 2024-25, but he justified his selection with his remarkable performances in his maiden Test series. He is currently India’s leading run scorer in the ongoing five-match Test series with 284 runs in four innings so far.
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