Pressure builds character. Pressure builds players. And few epitomize this truth more than the Indian cricket team, which has consistently uncovered world-class talents in the Test format when the stakes are highest, and the team is under immense pressure. Time and again, India has found players who rise to the occasion when it matters the most. The 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a turning point, bringing forth players like Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, and Shubman Gill, who all made their mark on the international stage. The 2024 England tour of India similarly unearthed rising stars like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, proving that India’s pipeline of talent is flourishing.
But perhaps the most striking example of talent emerging from adversity came during the 2024 tour of Australia, where Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a performance that will be etched in the memories of cricket fans for generations. On a day when the Indian team was under the most extreme pressure, Nitish emerged as the savior, playing a heroic knock that not only saved India from a disastrous collapse but also created history in the process.
On December 28, Nitish Kumar Reddy became the first Indian batter to score a century at No.8 in Australia, a remarkable achievement that added another feather to his already impressive cap. His century was not just about the runs, but about the composure, the mental strength, and the ability to thrive under pressure. The magnitude of his achievement was not lost on cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar, who praised the young all-rounder for his poise and his ability to read the game. Gavaskar, who had been visibly frustrated earlier by some of the dismissals in the innings, found solace in Nitish’s calm approach and sparkling century, which came off 171 balls.
"I think his shot selection. I actually think that tells you about the temperament. He's used the lofted shot to good effect. He's using his feet, hitting it over the field. Then he plays a classic straight drive, along the ground, then he plays again a lovely lofted shot. So, he is aware of where the fielders are, and is playing accordingly," Gavaskar said on Star Sports. His praise was high, and rightly so, for Nitish had just delivered one of the most important innings of the series under the most intense of circumstances.
It was not just about Nitish's technical skills, but his ability to withstand the pressure when everything seemed to be falling apart. India’s batting lineup was in disarray, and the team had already lost 6 wickets, still more than 280 runs behind Australia’s first innings total. The situation was bleak, and it appeared that India was headed for a follow-on. But Nitish, with his calm demeanor, set to work. He was methodical in his approach, focusing on finding singles, playing controlled shots, and slowly building his innings. As the Australian bowlers ramped up the pressure with relentless accuracy, Nitish kept his cool and played each delivery on its merit, ensuring that he wore down the attack with a mixture of defense and occasional aggressive strokes.
What stood out most in Nitish’s innings was his shot selection, a key indicator of his mental fortitude. According to data from Cricviz, Nitish had the lowest false shot percentage among all the Indian batters in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reflecting his maturity and his ability to execute the right shots at the right time. His placement of shots around the field was exceptional, exploiting gaps with precision, especially through the covers, where he scored nearly a quarter of his runs, including four boundaries. The Aussie bowlers, including the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Nathan Lyon, were unable to break his concentration, despite delivering their best efforts.
Nitish himself credited much of his growth as a player to conversations with seasoned players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins, who had imparted invaluable wisdom on the mental aspects of the game. In an interview with India Today Digital, Nitish shared how these senior players helped him fine-tune his mental approach. "I spoke a lot to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins about execution and planning. They are experienced players, and I tried to learn the mental side of the game from them," he said.
But it wasn’t just about learning from fast bowlers. Nitish also took advice from South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen, who emphasized the importance of taking the game deep. "I have worked on my batting a lot. It is finally working. I am grateful that all the hard work and dedication paid off," Nitish added. Klaasen’s advice on patience, especially against spinners, helped Nitish remain unhurried in his approach, allowing him to weather the storm despite the pressure mounting around him.
Throughout his innings, Nitish displayed remarkable resilience, even when the odds seemed stacked against him. His ability to play with a calm head, despite the chaotic nature of the game, spoke volumes about his temperament. There were moments of uncertainty, including a tense period when he was on 99* and facing Scott Boland. A near-miss LBW decision sent a wave of nervous tension through the crowd, but Nitish survived, and his father, watching from the stands, was visibly anxious. However, just moments later, the pressure evaporated as Nitish confidently drove Boland to the boundary, securing his well-deserved century.
This century was not just a personal achievement but a game-changing moment for India. Nitish’s efforts ensured that India avoided the follow-on and stabilized the innings when it was teetering on the brink of collapse. His 171-ball century was the highest score by an Indian batter in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, surpassing the likes of Virat Kohli (162) and Rohit Sharma (19), and solidified his place as one of the brightest young prospects in Indian cricket.
His performance on Day 3 at the MCG proved that Nitish Kumar Reddy is not just a quick learner but a player with a deep understanding of the game, a cricketing brain that can keep calm in the most stressful of situations. His ability to play under pressure, coupled with his ability to switch gears and keep the game moving forward, shows that he is here to stay. His composure, mental resilience, and impeccable shot selection make him not just an exciting talent but a future star in world cricket.
Nitish’s remarkable innings at the MCG is a testimony to the power of pressure in shaping champions. India’s young all-rounder has proven that, just like Siraj, Sundar, Gill, and others before him, when the pressure is on, the Indian cricket team can always rely on finding the next-generation superstar. Nitish’s rise to the occasion, his hard work, and his mental fortitude are all signs of a player who has not only arrived but is set to make a lasting impact on the international cricket stage.
