India's rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy he delivered a statement performance on Day 3 of the fourth consecutive Test against Australia, silencing his critics with his maiden Test century at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on 28 December.
The 21-year-old showed his talent and confidence under pressure, remaining 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 also shared a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who came up with a gritty fifty in Melbourne. Sundar and Reddy's eighth-wicket stand helped stabilize India's innings after a terrible start and gave the visitors a fighting chance in the fourth consecutive Test against Australia.
The century makes an even bigger impact for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been impressive since the first Test with the bat, as it came after criticism from former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who has questioned his place in Team India.
Can we get 120 from someone who bats at no. 8? Sanjay Manjrekar questions Reddy's ability
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Sanjay Manjrekar had expressed doubts about Reddy being considered a full-back, as he felt it was too early to declare. However, Reddy's exceptional performance at the MCG proved his mettle and justified his inclusion in the playing XI.
Sanjay Manjrekar had said during an interaction on ESPNcricinfo: “See, there is no doubt about his ability and how well he has played. But can we get 120 from someone who bats at no. 8? It is clear that he is not a bowler that you get as a seven-wicket haul Shardul Thakur. Is he, at this point, good enough to be pushed up the order and played as a pure tool by letting someone out of form? Then you can add an extra bowl. His bowling is not good enough to play him as an all-rounder. It's too early to consider him a complete batsman.”
PUMA trolls Sanjay Manjrekar as Nitish Kumar Reddy's knock speaks louder than words
Now, after his stunning Test century at the MCG, PUMA decided to give Sanjay Manjrekar a taste of his own medicine in public for underestimating Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioning his place in the Test XI.
In particular, Reddy is supported by PUMA, and the brand did not miss the opportunity to support their star player, but they are even too cool to retaliate. On social media platform X, PUMA Cricket promoted Manjrekar by replying to one of the old Indian tweets and commenter about Reddy.
PUMA posted a picture from an official shoot where Nitish Reddy can be seen making a 'sweeping' move to take a brutal dig at Manjrekar after the spectacular century of the onlooker that silenced many critics.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/mhcC0ZBc7L
– PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
Notably, the Indian selectors had made a bold call by selecting Reddy, who averaged 21 from 21 first-class matches, for the high-profile BGT 2024-25, but he justified the selection with his amazing performances in his first test. series. He is currently India's leading run scorer in the ongoing five-match Test series with 284 runs in four innings so far.
