Nitish Reddy Shines on Debut as Bumrah Leads India’s Fightback in Perth

Perth: Indian cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy made an impactful debut in a thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia at Perth. The young batter contributed a valuable knock of 41 runs off 59 balls, helping India post a modest total of 150 runs in their first innings. Reflecting on his performance, Reddy humbly remarked, “It was a good start. It’s not a dream innings, but it’s a good start.” His innings, which included six boundaries and a six, provided stability at a crucial juncture for the Indian side.

Reddy also shared his experience playing under the leadership of stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who replaced regular skipper Rohit Sharma for this series. He commended Bumrah’s tactical acumen, particularly the effective rotation of bowlers and timely spells. “This is my first Test match under Bumrah’s captaincy. It is hard to judge yet, but he has been excellent with the change of overs and spells. He is very good,” Reddy stated. The young player’s praise highlighted Bumrah’s ability to adapt quickly to leadership responsibilities.

Additionally, Reddy revealed the motivational words he received from Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, which helped him handle the pressure on the field. “I spoke to Gautam sir. He told me to embrace challenges, especially when facing bouncers or hostile spells, and to remember that I am playing for my country. That advice resonated deeply with me,” he shared. Reddy credited Gambhir’s guidance for bolstering his confidence during tough moments in the game.

India began the match by winning the toss and opting to bat first. However, the team struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack, regularly losing wickets. Reddy’s 41 runs and Rishabh Pant’s contribution of 37 runs off 78 balls (featuring three boundaries and a six) helped India cross the 150-run mark. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 29 runs in a brilliant display of swing and accuracy. Support from Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc, who picked up two wickets each, further restricted India’s batting lineup.

In response, India’s bowlers, led by captain Jasprit Bumrah, staged a remarkable comeback. Bumrah delivered a fiery spell on the opening day, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his 10 overs, with an impressive economy rate of 1.70. His performance rattled the Australian batting lineup, leaving them reeling at 67/7 by stumps. Mitchell Starc, while acknowledging Bumrah’s impact, hailed him as a “fantastic bowler” across all formats of the game.

The match highlights underscored the intense competition between the two sides. While India’s batting struggled initially, contributions from debutant Nitish Reddy and Rishabh Pant provided some resistance. The bowlers, particularly Bumrah, ensured India remained competitive by dismantling Australia’s top and middle order. As the game progresses, the young talents like Reddy, along with Bumrah’s inspired leadership, promise an exciting contest in this high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy encounter.

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