The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 concluded on a disappointing note for Team India as they lost their decade-long dominance over Australia with a 3-1 series defeat. Despite the overall outcome, some individual performances shone brightly, with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s debut series standing out. The young all-rounder impressed in his maiden Test series, scoring 298 runs and taking five wickets across the five-match series.
Reddy’s standout moment came during the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where he delivered a stunning century batting at No. 8. While his remarkable knock couldn’t prevent India from losing the match, it earned widespread admiration from fans and cricketing experts alike.
His ability to perform under pressure, especially on Australian soil, highlighted his potential as an emerging star in Indian cricket. Upon his return to Visakhapatnam on Thursday, January 9, Reddy received a grand reception from his hometown. Fans gathered in large numbers to welcome their local hero, showering him with garlands and cheers.
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Riding in an open jeep alongside his father, Mutyalu, the young cricketer basked in the love and adulation of his supporters, marking a proud moment for his family and the region.
India allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy received a hero’s welcome at the Vizag airport upon his homecoming after a successful tour of Australia, where he scored a maiden Test 💯 at the MCG ##BGT2025 pic.twitter.com/b5w9uV3dUF
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) January 9, 2025
Reddy’s debut series has already etched his name in the record books. He became the first batter to score a century at No. 8 in Test cricket for India and the third-youngest Indian to achieve a Test century in Australia at 21 years and 256 days. He trails only Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 256 days) and Rishabh Pant (21 years, 92 days) in this remarkable feat.
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With his stellar debut performances in both T20Is and Tests, Reddy has emerged as a strong contender for India’s Champions Trophy squad, set to begin in February. The deadline for the squad announcement is January 12, and there is growing anticipation that Reddy may earn an ODI call-up to complement vice-captain Hardik Pandya as a secondary all-rounder. If selected, his inclusion would further solidify India’s lineup for the prestigious tournament.
