Watch- Nitish Kumar Reddy stuns Mitchell Marsh; grabs his 1st Test wicket

Australia is all set to face one of the most humiliating defeats of their history, as India is cruising towards a historic triumph in the ongoing first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday (November 25).

After top orders’ failure saw them reeling at 17/4 while chasing the mammoth target of 522 runs in Perth, Australia’s big icon Steve Smith (17) also failed to deliver when his team needed it the most.

Nitish Kumar Reddy strikes on debut as India marches towards historic win in Perth Test

However, Travis Head tried to steer Australia’s innings with a brilliant knock of 89 runs, but India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah handed them another shocker at the Optus Stadium.

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Well, then all the hopes were pinned on Mitchell Marsh to take the Australian team close to the target at least, but the debutant all-rounder Nitish Kumra Reddy got the better of the Australian all-rounder in great fashion in the ongoing five-match Test series opener in Perth.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s magic delivery sends Mitchell Marsh packing in BGT 2024-25 opener

Nitish Kumar Reddy dramatically claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Mitchell Marsh with a classic "played-on" dismissal. On a pitch with unpredictable bounce at the Optus Stadium, Reddy delivered a back-of-a-length ball outside off, tempting Mitchell Marsh to go for the cut.

However, the ball stayed unexpectedly low, taking a thick under-edge before crashing into the stumps, and leaving Mitchell Marsh visibly frustrated as he departed for 47 runs off 67 balls, laced with three boundaries and two sixes against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

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After making his white-ball debut for India last month, Nitish Kumar Reddy was swiftly drafted into the Test squad and even got the opportunity to showcase his talent in the first game of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.

Nitish Reddy makes an instant impact with the bat in Australia

Nitish made an instant impact with the bat in the ongoing Perth Test. Batting at No. 8 at the Optus Stadium, Reddy played an explosive knock of 41 runs off 59 balls in the first innings with the help of six boundaries and one maximum against Australia.

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Nitish Kumar Reddy was equally impressive in the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 38 runs off 27 balls, studded with three boundaries and two sixes.

Speaking about his bowling show, Reddy bowled only three overs in the first innings and conceded only four runs, and in the second innings, the youngster was already sent for four overs, taking one wicket for 21 runs so far in the ongoing Perth Test against Australia.

Adam Gilchrist hails Reddy for his impactful show in Perth

Recently, legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist heaped praise on Nitish Kumar Reddy and said that the young all-rounder looked like a Test player in the middle.

Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz: “I thought he looked every inch a Test match cricketer out there. He came in with wickets tumbling and had to try and forge a partnership with the ever-dangerous Rishabh Pant. He settled into his innings well. He was positive against Nathan Lyon, who has an outstanding Test record at Perth Stadium. So, the momentum shifted somewhat when they were together. That's an exciting start for the young man.”