Nitish Kumar Reddy (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: India have a new hero – Nitish Kumar Reddy. The 21-year-old cricketer made history with a defiant maiden century, cheered on by a large contingent of Indian supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Nitish displayed remarkable grit and determination, taking 172 balls to reach the milestone with 10 fours and one six, as he fought to get India back into the fourth Test against Australia.
It was Nitish’s resilience, coupled with his love for the game and admiration for Virat Kohli, that helped him overcome financial hurdles and fulfill his dream of playing for Team India.
Nitish was just 12 when his father, Mutyala Reddy, introduced him to former India wicketkeeper and ex-selector MSK Prasad. Mutyala, who was present at the MCG to witness his son’s majestic knock, sought Prasad’s guidance to shape Nitish’s cricketing journey.
Prasad, who represented Andhra Pradesh in domestic cricket, assessed Nitish by asking him a few questions and then observed him in the nets. The young batter impressed with his professional stroke play and disciplined wicket-to-wicket bowling.
Recognising his talent, Prasad introduced Nitish to the Andhra Cricket management, which decided to nurture the prodigy. The association provided financial support, investing Rs 15,000 per month, and looked after his cricketing and educational needs.
Nitish on Saturday played a pivotal role, rescuing India from a precarious 221/7 by stitching a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50). The partnership narrowly missed the record for India’s highest eighth-wicket stand against Australia, set by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar in 2008.
“It is one of the happiest moments for Nitish, his family, and myself. The entire country and Andhra cricket are proud of this kid. It’s a remarkable achievement. He comes from a humble background, rose through the ranks, defied the odds, and now he is a superstar. Nitish has worked incredibly hard to reach this level. I salute his family, who made phenomenal sacrifices to support him,” MSK Prasad told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
Nitish’s moment of glory came when, on 99, he played a lofted drive and then endured a tense over before completing his century with an elegant on-drive to the boundary.
The MCG erupted with deafening cheers, including from his father in the stands, who was seen praying continuously for his son’s success.
“Andhra Cricket has played a significant role in his development. Ever since his father brought him to me, I knew this boy was destined for big things on the bigger stage. Andhra Cricket invested Rs 15,000 per month in him until he reached a certain level. They took care of his cricket and education. He was just 12 when he came to me. I am truly happy for him,” said MSK Prasad.
“The amount was just for Nitish. We knew this guy had a lot of talent and would reach a certain level. He never looked back. A keen learner, a silent assassin, and a man who loves to play, that’s how I would define Nitish,” he added.
NITISH: INDIA’S SEARCH FOR A FAST-BOWLING ALLROUNDER
Has Nitish Kumar Nitish ended India’s long wait for a fast-bowling allrounder? While the question is being debated, MSK Prasad believes Nitish has the potential to fill that void but needs time and effort to cement his place in the team. India have had promising allrounders like Hardik Pandya, but injuries have curtailed his Test career.
“As for his batting, he is absolutely spot on. However, there is still work to be done on his bowling, but I am confident he will improve. The confidence he has gained after scoring a century at the MCG is unparalleled. This achievement will surely motivate him to excel in his bowling as well,” Prasad said.