India's young fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy made his dream Test debut during the first Test match against Australia at The Optus Stadium in Perth. He was the lone India batter who managed to score more than 40 runs which helped the visitors to score 150. Former India captain Virat Kohli handed him the debut cap on November 22.
Kohli who has a massive record against Australia praised the star all-rounder for his domestic performance.
"Nitish, You worked so hard to get here. I know looking at you and observing you in the training - you deserve to be here, making debut for India in Test Cricket, you will remember this moment forever" said Kohli to Nitish Reddy while giving him debut cap.
After Day 1, Nitish said that it was his dream to get my debut cap from his idol Kohli and feature for India.
"Dream to get the Test cap from my idol Virat Kohli and to walk out for India. It is a proud moment" said Reddy in post day conference.
Reddy who was the part of India A squad that featured against Australia A revealed that coming early with Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side helped him to get comfortable in Australian conditions.
"India A series helps me to acclimatise to the conditions" added Reddy.
Coming back to the match, Indian speedsters Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana brought back India in the game with a stellar performance leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 on the first day of the 1st Test. Bumrah picked four and Mohammed Siraj got two scalps. On the other hand, debutant Rana picked up Travis Head's wicket.
IND vs AUS playing XIs
India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj.
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Brief Scores: India: 150 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 41, Rishabh Pant 37; Josh Hazlewood 4/29) vs. Australia: 67/7 ( Alex Carey 19*, Travis Head 11; Jasprit Bumrah 4/17).
