Border Gavaskar Trophy: What's the next step after Nitish Reddy hundred?

India faced an uphill battle in the fourth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, trailing Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 474. The Indian batting lineup struggled to mount a substantial response, with only opener Yashasvi Jaiswal offering a notable contribution at the top, scoring a gritty 82. However, apart from Jaiswal, none of the other batters managed to cross the 50-run mark, leaving India teetering on the edge of a follow-on. It was the determined partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar that provided a much-needed lifeline for India. Coming together at a precarious juncture, the duo stitched an impressive 127-run stand for the eighth wicket, stabilizing the innings and ensuring India avoided the follow-on. Nitish Kumar Reddy, in particular, displayed remarkable composure and skill as he brought up his maiden Test century, remaining unbeaten on 105 by the end of the day’s play.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: What is the future after Nitish Reddy century?

The 21-year-old showcased his potential as a reliable lower-order batter with his controlled stroke play and ability to handle pressure. His efforts drew praise from former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri, who lauded Nitish’s performance and suggested that the youngster should be promoted higher up the batting order. According to Shastri, a move up the order could provide the team with better balance and enable Nitish to make even more significant contributions in future matches. The promising partnership between Nitish and Sundar not only salvaged India’s innings but also highlighted the depth of talent in their lineup.

"I feel that the way he's batted, this is the last time he will bat at 7. To get the balance of the side, you need him to go higher up the order, either 5 or 6 and then you have the opportunity of playing 5 bowlers to take the 20 wickets, and he's given that kind of confidence to the selectors and the team management and the captain," former India head coach Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying in a recent interview. 

"Reddy is fully capable of batting in the top 6. Then it changes the whole balance of the game. You go to Sydney with him batting in the top 6, and you're playing five bowlers,” he added.

At the close of Day 3 in the Australia vs India fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, India found themselves at 358/9, still trailing Australia by 116 runs. The day’s highlight was undoubtedly the resilience shown by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who stood firm at the crease, showcasing remarkable grit and determination. As Day 4 looms, a lot hinges on how the young batter approaches the crucial first session, with his unbeaten century offering a glimmer of hope for India to narrow the deficit.

Nitish’s efforts were ably supported by Washington Sundar earlier in the innings. Sundar played a vital knock, scoring a composed 50 runs and providing stability during a critical phase. The duo’s partnership of 127 runs for the eighth wicket proved to be a turning point, not only helping India stave off the follow-on but also injecting some much-needed confidence into the batting lineup.

However, following Sundar’s dismissal, Nitish found himself battling without adequate support from the tail-enders. The lower-order batters struggled to provide the necessary resilience, leaving the young centurion with the daunting task of shepherding the innings. Despite the challenges, Nitish’s composure and skill have kept India in the game, and his ability to extend the innings on Day 4 could be decisive in reducing the gap and setting the tone for the rest of the match. The first session of Day 4 will be crucial, as Nitish looks to build on his landmark performance and lead India closer to Australia’s imposing first-innings total.