Nitish Reddy becomes 1st Indian no.8 batter to score a century in Australia; equals ex-England captain, Gayle's record too

Nitish Reddy becomes 1st Indian no.8 batter to score a century in Australia; equals ex-England captain, Gayle's record too
Nitish Kumar Reddy of India celebrates scoring a century during day three of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

Story Highlights:

Nitish Reddy is the third-youngest Indian batter to score a Test century in Australia.

Reddy reached his maiden century in the third session of Day 3 of MCG Test.

Reddy is the third Indian batter to score a century in the ongoing series.

Young Nitish Kumar Reddy scripted history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Reddy became the first Indian batter to score a century at no.8 on Australian soil. Reddy reached his century in the 115th over of the innings with a boundary over mid-on off Scott Boland's delivery. He is the third-youngest Indian to score his maiden Test century in Australia.

The youngest India to achieve the feat is Sachin Tendulkar. The 'Master Blaster' was 18 years and 256 days old when he scored his maiden Test century in 1992 in Sydney. Second on the list is Rishabh Pant who was 21 years and 92 days old when he scored his maiden Test century in Sydney in 2019.

Reddy surpasses Kumble

The previous record for highest score by a no.8 batter in Austraia belonged to Anil Kumble who scored 87 at Adelaide Oval in 2008. Reddy is the second Indian to achieve the feat against Australia. In 2017, wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha scored 117 against Australia in Ranchi.

Other no.8 batters to achieve the feat

Reddy is the fourth Indian batter to do it against Australia in Australia. Overall, he is the sixth no.8 batter against Australia to score a Test century. The first to do it was West Indies' Clairmonte Depeiaza who scored 122 against Australia in 1955. In 1961, another West Indies wicketkeeper-batter, Gerry Alexander scored 108 against Australia in Sydney.

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In the 21st century, England's Matt Prior scored 118 in Sydney in 2011. Six years later, Saha did it in Ranchi with a 117-run knock. In 2019, Pakistan's Yasir Shah entered the list with a 113-run knock in a losing cause in Adelaide.

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Reddy, the new visiting sixer king

Reddy also equalled a unique record against Australia. He is the third visiting batter to hit eight sixes in a single series in Australia. The first to it was former England captain Michael Vaughan in 2003-04 tour. The second on the list of West Indies Chris Gayle who did it during 2009-10 tour.