New Delhi: Nitish Kumar Reddy earned the honor of becoming the 316th player to represent India in Test cricket on the opening day of the Perth Test against Australia. Rising to prominence during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024, Nitish’s impressive performances fast-tracked his entry into the national side. The team management rewarded his potential by handing him his debut cap for the prestigious format.
Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased his all-round skills on debut, making an immediate impact despite a challenging day for the Indian batting lineup. The right-hander top-scored with a composed 41 off 59 balls, standing out in India’s modest total of 150, proving to be a bright spot in an otherwise tough innings.
None of the other Indian batters managed to cross the 40-run mark. Rishabh Pant contributed a gritty 37 off 78 balls, while KL Rahul added 26 before being dismissed, highlighting Nitish Kumar Reddy’s standout performance in the innings.
Nitish Kumar Reddy etched his name in the record books with his impressive 41-run knock. He became only the seventh Indian debutant to achieve the highest score in an innings while batting at number 8 or lower, joining an elite group of players.
The last Indian debutant to achieve the highest score in an innings while batting at number 8 or below was Stuart Binny. Making his Test debut against England in 2014, Binny played a resilient knock of 78 off 114 balls in India’s second innings. Notably, he went wicketless in that match despite his efforts with the ball.
Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t get an opportunity to bowl on the opening day, leaving fans eagerly awaiting his turn on Day 2. The new ball duties were handled by Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, and Mohammed Siraj, as India focused on their experienced pacers to start the proceedings.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered a sensational start for India, leaving Australia reeling at 19/3 early in their innings. The ace pacer claimed four wickets in his 10-over spell, setting the tone for the bowling attack. Mohammed Siraj chipped in with crucial dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh, while debutant Harshit Rana made an impact by removing the dangerous Travis Head. By stumps, Australia found themselves struggling at 67/7, trailing India’s total of 150.
