India's rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy made a statement on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia as he silenced his critics with his maiden Test century at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 28.
The 21-year-old showed his flair and composure under pressure as he remained unbeaten on 105 at stumps. Nitish Kumar Reddy's brilliant knock was instrumental in India reaching 385/9 at stumps on Day 3 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 474 in the ongoing Boxing Day Test.
Nitish Kumar Reddy's stunning century silences critics in style at the MCG
He was also involved in a pivotal 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who contributed 50 in Melbourne. Sundar and Reddy's eighth-wicket stand helped stabilize India's innings after a shaky start and gave the visitors a fighting chance in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.
The record century holds even greater significance for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been impressive since the first Test with the bat, as it came in the wake of criticism from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who questioned his place in the team India.
We can get 120 from someone who calls no. 8? Sanjay Manjrekar questions Reddy's ability
Before the start of the Boxing Day Test, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed doubts about whether Reddy would be considered an all-rounder as he felt it was too early to be tagged. However, Reddy's exceptional performance at the MCG proved his mettle and justified his inclusion in the playing XI.
Sanjay Manjrekar said during an interaction on ESPNcricinfo, “See, there is no doubt about the potential he has and how well he has played. But we can get 120 from someone batting at no. 8? He is clearly not a bowler who can give you a seven-wicket haul like Shardul Thakur. Is he, at this stage, good enough to be pushed up the order and played as a pure batsman, knocking someone out of shape? Then you can add an extra bowler. His bowling is not good enough to play him as a man bowler. It's too early to consider him a full-throttle man.”
PUMA trolls Sanjay Manjrekar as Nitish Kumar Reddy's knock speaks louder than words
Now, after his stunning maiden Test century at the MCG, PUMA have decided to give Sanjay Manjrekar a public taste of his own medicine for underestimating Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioning his place in the Test XI.
Notably, Reddy is sponsored by PUMA, and the brand didn't miss a chance to support their star player, but they're just too cool to take revenge. On social media platform X, PUMA Cricket trolled Manjrekar by replying to one of the former Indian batsman and commentator's old tweets about Reddy.
PUMA posted a photo from an official photo shoot where Nitish Reddy is seen making a 'shut up' gesture to take a brutal dig at Manjrekar after the incredible century by the cops that silenced many critics.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/MhCQ0ZBc7L
— PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
Notably, the Indian selectors made a bold call in selecting Reddy, who averaged 21 after 21 first-class matches, for the high-profile BGT 2024-25, but he justified his selection with his outstanding performances from his first series of tests. He is currently India's highest run-scorer in the five-match Test series with 284 runs in four innings so far.