Nitish Kumar Reddy talks openly about playing with Virat Kohli

Nitish Kumar ReddyThe journey on this tour has been nothing short of amazing. Aged just 21, the all-rounder entered the series as an underdog, with just 21 first-class matches to his name. Most of his outstanding performances have been in T20 cricket. But when the pressure of Test cricket was at its peak, Reddy seized the opportunity, smashing a brilliant century at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Reddy silenced all his doubts in style. “I know some people doubted me,” he said. “They thought that a youngster like me, with IPL experience but not much more, could not perform in such a big series. I just want to prove them wrong and show that I am here to give my 100% for the Indian team.”

A moment to remember

On the third day, with more than 80,000 fans roaring in the stands, Reddy carved his name into history. Confrontation Australia Scott Boland, produced a confident drive down the pad for four to bring up his maiden Test century. His teammates erupted in applause, but Reddy remained grounded, crediting his No.11 partner, Mohammed Siraj, for his role in the milestone.

The crowd went wild when Siraj saved the last three balls off Cummins, Reddy said with a laugh. “I think that moment was even louder than my celebration of the century! But I have to thank him. Without his courage, I would not have been able to reach my hundred.”

Reddy also revealed how surreal it was to share the field with his idol, Virat Kohli. “I’ve been watching Virat since childhood, which makes him my inspiration – it’s a dream to play with him. When he scored a century in Perth, I was at the non-striker’s end, feeling so proud. For him to come and say, ‘You played really well and got the team back in the game,’ that’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”

Strategic brilliance and personal growth

Nitish Kumar Reddy is one of the few Indian batsmen who managed to play Scott Boland well. He kept stepping forward to disrupt his rhythm. “Boland’s consistency is his strength,” explained Reddy. “So I tried to move forward to accommodate his line and length. It worked for me.”

However, Reddy remains critical of his bowling efforts. With just three wickets in four Tests at an average of 49, he admits there is room for improvement. “My goal was to be a complete all-rounder. I am not happy with my bowling at the moment. I know I have to work harder to fill that role in the team.”

Journey beyond fame

Reddy’s meteoric rise is not an overnight success. After his first IPL season, he identified the flaws in his game and used every available moment to improve his skills. “The work I put in over the last two to three years is now paying off. These were not short-term fixes; it was about long-term improvement,” he shared.

Fitness, he believes, is the backbone of his success as an all-rounder. “I kept pushing myself and it paid off. This tour has been an amazing experience, but I am determined to continue to grow and contribute even more.”

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