The young Indian scored a Test century to bring home his third Test century in Australia.
India seem to have found a new gem in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made a Test hundred to keep his team alive in the fourth Test against Australia.
The number eight's sparkling 105 not out was the foundation of India's first innings 358-9 in reply to Australia's 445 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, including his tearful father.
At 221-7, the next attack looked huge for India but the all-rounder put together a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50) in a spectacular rear guard to rescue the visitors.
With the final batting of Indian Mohammed Siraj at the other end, Reddy went on to bring up his maiden Test hundred with a four from Scott Boland.
The 21-year-old knelt down, leaning his helmet on top of his bat handle, pointing to the sky as his father wiped away tears of joy in the stands.
“It is a special day for the family. We will never forget this day,” senior Reddy, who quit his job to help his son build a career, told Fox Cricket.
“Only Siraj was left, we were very sad. I was praying for him.”
Reddy has made quite an impression on his youth journey. He scored 41 and 38 not out in his first Test in the opening match at Perth and his 42 in the drawn second Test in Adelaide was the highest by an Indian batsman in all innings.
India were in dire straits when Reddy came out to bat at the MCG on Saturday and he responded with a knock that denied Australia a big chance.
Reddy has fulfilled his dream of playing alongside Virat Kohli and received his maiden Test cap from his idol.
“I was counting my years to see if I don't retire when I go to India,” the actor said before the start of his test.
Reddy is now India's leading batsman, second only to Australia's Travis Head, despite playing as the lowest-ranked batsman.
Reddy's eight sixes in the series so far are tied for the most by an Australian batsman, equaling England's Michael Vaughan and West Indian Chris Gayle.
The seamer also took three wickets, but former India coach Ravi Shastri said Reddy needed to step it up.
“I want to hit him in sixes,” Shastri told Star Sports. “Then you (India) can play five bowlers and manage the team well.
“The team leaders should have faith in him. Put him in the top six, he's as good as anyone with his ability, with his ability to play fast and spin.”
