Team India led by Jasprit Bumrah had to endure a frustrating first session of play in the first Test against Australia in Perth. Mitchell Starc batted for 112 balls to score 26 runs before becoming the last man to be dismissed. The last wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood was worth 25 which came in exactly 18 overs.
Australian innings would have been over much earlier if Rishabh Pant had held on to a chance in the final ball of the 37th over. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling round the wicket induced an edge off the Australian pacer’s bat only for Pant to drop the chance as the ball sped for four.
Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling charge yet again as India’s stand-in skipper picked 5/30 from his 18 overs. Australia started the day at 67/7 before losing Alex Carey as the first wicket of the day for 21. Nathan Lyon was done in by a sharp bounce by Harshit Rana for 6 as India went into lunch with an overall lead of 46.
Nitish Kumar Reddy looks back on Test debut for India
21-year-old star Nitish Kumar Reddy made an instant impact on his Test debut for India. Nitish scored 41 with the bat and helped India reach 150 which also included a 48-run stand with Rishabh Pant for the 7th wicket.
Speaking to the media as quoted by CRICBUZZ, the youngster said “Even I had heard a lot about Perth. I still remember that after our last practice, I had a chat with Gautam Gambhir sir. He mentioned that when you get any bouncers or are facing a sharp spell, just take it onto your shoulder like you're taking a bullet for your country”
One ofn the best moments of his innings was his upper cut six against Pat Cummins. Both players know each since their time together at Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL 2024 season. Nitish was a key member for Cummins during the season that saw Hyderabad reach the finals.
“That really helped me a lot; that just boosted me. I had that on the back of my mind. About that Perth wicket, everyone was talking like there will be good bounce in this wicket but when he said that thing to me, I felt like you need to take bullets for your country. That's the best thing I have heard from Gautam sir." Further added Nitish Kumar Reddy.
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