Nitish Kumar Reddy put up a promising display, finishing as the top-scorer for the Indian side.
Young Indian seaming all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was one of the two debutants alongside pacer Harshit Rana, who were handed their maiden Test cap earlier today in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series opener at Perth.
The 21-year-old Reddy put up a promising display, finishing as the top-scorer for the Indian side with a deft knock of 41 runs. Nitish’s gritty knock was one of the few positives in an otherwise lacklustre batting display which saw the visitors getting bowled out for 150.
Speaking after the day’s play, Nitish Kumar Reddy revealed what coach Gautam Gambhir had said in the pre-match discussion that motivated him.
Nitish said, “Our coach said you are playing for the country and in places like Perth there will be bounce, take it on your shoulder, on your body, it is like taking a bullet for your country. That really boosted me.”
Reddy stepped onto the crease with India struggling at 73 for 6. The right-hander played a pivotal role, adding 48 runs for the seventh wicket in partnership with Pant.
During his impressive knock, Reddy smashed six boundaries and a six before falling to Pat Cummins. The Australian skipper dismissed him with a short delivery that resulted in a top-edge.
Following the contributions from Reddy and Pant, which pushed India to 150, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stunning performance. He claimed four wickets, leaving Australia reeling at 67 for 7 in 27 overs by the end of Day 1 in Perth.
As stumps were drawn, Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 19, with Mitchell Starc on six. The hosts trail by 83 runs in their first innings, with only three wickets remaining.
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