4th Test: A Day We Will Always Remember, Reflects Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Father
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Melbourne, Dec 28 (NationPress) December 28, 2024, will be etched in the memory of Mutyala Reddy, as his son Nitish Kumar Reddy became the hero for India during a challenging moment, achieving an unbeaten 105 - his inaugural Test century on day three of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
As Nitish executed a lofted on-drive off Scott Boland to mark his first Test hundred in 171 balls, Mutyala, who was present in the stands with a prayerful expression, was visibly emotional and offered heartfelt thanks to God with his hands folded, while receiving congratulations from those around him.
“This day holds a special significance for our family, and it is a moment we shall never forget. He has shown promise since he was around 14-15 years old, and now achieving this in international cricket is an extraordinary feeling. I was incredibly tense (when Nitish was at 99). Only one wicket remained. Fortunately, Siraj managed to hold on,” Mutyala shared with Adam Gilchrist for broadcaster Fox Sports.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri commented on the occasion of Nitish achieving his first Test century in front of his family amidst an audience of 87,073 at the MCG, calling it “the icing on the cake.”
Nitish’s century has now established him as India’s top run-scorer in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He also made history by becoming the first Indian batsman to score a Test century in Australia after batting at number eight or lower.
With his unbeaten 105, Reddy is now only the second Indian to achieve his maiden Test century at the MCG, following Vinoo Mankad, who accomplished this feat back in 1948. Mutyala’s tears, witnessing Nitish’s first Test hundred, validated the sacrifices and efforts he made to support his son’s journey in international cricket.
In 2016, Mutyala was employed at Hindustan Zinc Limited in Visakhapatnam and was slated for a transfer to Udaipur in Rajasthan. However, to concentrate on nurturing young Nitish’s cricket career, Mutyala opted for early retirement from his esteemed government position to remain at home.
The legendary MCG bore witness to Nitish’s remarkable Test century on December 28, 2024, as he spearheaded India’s impressive comeback, creating an unforgettable moment that subtly honored Mutyala’s sacrifices.
