Nitish Reddy slams his maiden Test century, scripts history for an Indian No 8 batter in Australia

It almost seemed like Nitish Kumar Reddy would miss out on his ton with India losing wickets of Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah when the all-rounder was in his late 90s. But Mohammed Siraj played out three deliveries from Pat Cummins for Reddy to be on strike next over and get to his hundred.

Nitish Kumar Reddy became the first Indian batter to score a Test century at No 8 in Australia as he completed his maiden ton in the longest format of the game in the Boxing Day Test against Australia on Saturday, December 28. Reddy, whose sudden rise to international cricket saw Nitish Reddy make his Test debut in Perth and retain his spot across all four matches of the series, repaid the team management's faith with an innings of a lifetime. The wickets were falling all around him but Reddy maintained his composure and curbed his natural instincts to get to a century, that could stage a comeback for India in the series.

Highest score by an Indian No 8 in Tests in Australia

105* - Nitish Kumar Reddy - Melbourne, 2024

87 - Anil Kumble - Adelaide, 2008
81 - Ravindra Jadeja - Sydney, 2019
67 - Shardul Thakur - Brisbane, 2021
64 - Karsan Ghavri - Sydney, 1978

Highest score by an Indian No 8 in Tests against Australia

117 - Wriddhiman Saha - Ranchi, 2017
105* - Nitish Kumar Reddy - Melbourne, 2024
92 - MS Dhoni - Mohali, 2008
87 - Anil Kumble - Adelaide, 2008
83 - Kapil Dev - Chennai, 1979
 

The build-up to the century was a dramatic one as Reddy lost his partner at the other end, Washington Sundar to Nathan Lyon, who edged it straight to the slip on 50. Reddy was batting on 97 when the 127-run stand broke. India lost vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah's wicket after Nitish Reddy couldn't take a single off Boland's last delivery but got a couple. 

Now Mohammed Siraj was in front of Pat Cummins with three deliveries to negotiate and a certain Reddy batting on 99 at the end. Every ball became an event and thankfully Siraj got past the Cummins' test, who peppered a bouncer, a short of a good length on off-stump and a full ball which the Indian pacer defended rather nicely.

Reddy played out a couple of deliveries before hitting a banging lofted drive off Boland straight over mid-on's head for a boundary to get to his century. Reddy sat down in the Baahubali pose to celebrate his ton as his father Mutyala Reddy couldn't hold on to his emotions.

Reddy's knock played a big role in India not letting Australia come out to bat in the second innings on Day 3. The weather played its part with a couple of interruptions and eventually calling the day off early but India managed to avoid the follow-on. India are still 116 runs behind and would hope to score as many to get some more time passed in the Test match.