Nitish Reddy, was ready! Gavaskar takes back past criticism, showers praise on all-rounder

What an incredible debut for Nitish Kumar Reddy. The 21-year-old shined in Perth, scoring crucial runs in both innings and even bagging a wicket (Mitchell Marsh) despite bowling just 7 overs. But due to incredible performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, many forget to give the young all-rounder his dues. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s innings better than Kohli, Rahul & Jaiswal

Sunil Gavaskar hasn’t forgotten what Nitish did in the India vs Australia 1st Test. The Indian legend who wasn’t completely on board with Gautam Gambhir’s decision to hand the all-rounder his maiden cap has now labelled Nitish’s batting performance in the first innings as the most impressive knock of the match.

5/59 was the score when Nitish Reddy arrived in the middle. Nerves are what he should have felt on his debut innings, but it was anything but. He went on to top score (41) in the innings and Team India to 150. Even in the second innings, he played a quick-fire 38 off 27.

“These two hundreds were terrific, as was the 200-plus opening partnership, but the most impressive innings was from Nitish Reddy. He showed an awareness of what was required which belied the fact that he was making his Test debut. Even in the first innings, he displayed a refreshing grasp of scoring opportunities and ended up as the top scorer. His bowling too came in handy, and his fielding was outstanding. Here is a man for the future,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar before the pink ball Test.

Previously, Gavaskar wasn’t sold on the management’s decision to play the youngster. “This is a new management, new thinking. They have gone with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a promising cricketer, make no mistake about that. But is he ready for Test cricket?” Gavaskar had said on Day 1 of the match.