BGT 2024-25: Nitish Kumar Reddy breaks Anil Kumble's historic Indian record in Australia during his MCG masterclass

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar formed a terrific partnership for the 8th wicket at the MCG.

Almost four years after his memorable partnership with Shardul Thakur at the Gabba, Washington Sundar was involved in another crucial stand for the Indian cricket team. Once again with a seam-bowling all-rounder. This time it was Nitish Kumar Reddy at the MCG.

The second session on day 2 of the fourth BGT 2024-25 test was a rare wicketless session as Sundar and Reddy added 82 runs in 24 overs in the session.

Their partnership has swelled to over 100 runs. In what are the best batting conditions of the series, the duo staved off the threat from the Australian bowlers first with the first old ball and then with the second new ball.

While Sundar has been measured in his approach, batting at 40* off 115 balls with only one boundary, Reddy has been enterprising, hitting 88* runs off 138 balls with eight fours and a six.

After four scores between 35 and 45 in the first three tests, Reddy finally notched up his maiden test fifty and is moving towards his maiden test century in what is his debut test series.

He batted at No. 8 in this innings – as Akash Deep was promoted to the nightwatchman’s job last evening – and came into bat at the score of 191/6, with India still requiring 84 runs to avoid the follow-on. Reddy joined hands with Sundar, who came in at 221/7, and the duo stitched a gritty century partnership to help India avoid the follow-on.

Not only did they prevented the follow-on, with rain around, they have given India an outside chance of saving the test match but for that the other batsmen will need to step up in their second innings.

Coming to Nitish Kumar Reddy, he went past Ravindra Jadeja and Anil Kumble to now claim the record for the highest score by an Indian batsman in Australia in test cricket while batting at No. 8.

Previously, the record belonged to Anil Kumble for his 87-run knock in 2008 in Adelaide. Jadeja scored 81 in Sydney in 2019.

Highest scores by Indian batsmen in Australia in test cricket batting at No. 8:

1. Nitish Kumar Reddy – 88*, Melbourne, 2024
2. Anil Kumble – 87, Adelaide, 2008
3. Ravindra Jadeja – 81, Sydney, 2019
4. Shardul Thakur – 67, Brisbane, 2021
5. Karsan Ghavri – 64, Sydney, 1978

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