Top 3 Indian batters with highest scores at No. 8 in Tests ft. Nitish Kumar Reddy

Indian cricket found a new hero on Saturday during the third day of the MCG Test. Young Nitish Kumar Reddy became the first ever batter from India to score a Test ton while batting at number 8. In over 92 years of Test status, Team India has enjoyed the feat, especially considering it was achieved away from home. 

Batting at the number 8 spot is very tough considering one rarely gets to bat with the top-order batters. It was the same case with Nitish Reddy during the key IND vs AUS Test at the famous MCG on Saturday. The youngster had to dig deep and bat with Washington Sundar to not only avoid the follow-on but also get India to a decent total. 

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More became the first ever Indian batter to score a fifty while batting lower down the order. His innings of 67 during the 1991 MCG Test with More batting at number 9. Shardul Thakur’s 67 while batting at number 8 during the 2021 Brisbane Test also makes it to the honourable mentions list. 

Here are the top 3 best by Indian batters while batting at number 8 in Test cricket

3: Ravindra Jadeja – 81 vs Australia -2019 – Sydney 

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the best batters in the Test format for a long time. It was during the 4th and final IND vs AUS Test at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground that Jadeja scored 81 while batting at number 8. The left-handed batter got his 81 runs from 114 balls with 7 fours and a six before being bowled by Nathan Lyon. Ravindra Jadeja also shared a huge stand of 204 runs for the 7th wicket with Rishabh Pant, who scored 159 not out. 

2: Anil Kumble – 87 vs Australia – 2008- Adelaide 

Former India skipper Anil Kumble showed why his batting was grossly underrated with a gritty knock against Australia. Kumble scored 87 runs while batting at number 8 during the IND vs AUS Adelaide Test match. Having scored a century a year earlier, Kumble batted with great determination before being the last man out. The former Indian great got his 87 off 205 balls with 9 fours and batted for 249 minutes. 

1: Nitish Kumar Reddy – 114 vs Australia – 2024 – Melbourne

Young Nitish Reddy became the first Indian batter to score a Test ton while batting at number 8. He reached his century with a boundary off Scott Boland to create history. This Nitish Reddy test century came during the IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test on Saturday and helped the visitors save the likely follow-on mark. The young batter was batting on 105 off 176 balls with 10 fours and a six, with Mohammed Siraj keeping him company on 2 runs.