Andhra Cricket Association announces cash prize for Nitish Kumar Reddy after heroics in BGT 2024-25 4th Test - Reports

Team India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is reportedly to receive a big cash prize following his maiden Test century. The talented youngster stole the show in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, scoring 114 in India's first innings. He became the first No. 8 batter to score a Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

According to reports, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has announced a cash prize of ₹25 lakh for Nitish, who hails from Visakhapatnam. The ACA president Kesineni Sivanath was quoted as saying by The Hindu:

"It is a fortunate day and a happiest moment for the Andhra Cricket Association. We are very happy that a boy from Andhra has been picked for the Test format and international T20 format. As an honour, on behalf of the Andhra Cricket Association, ₹25 lakh prize money is being given to Nitish Kumar Reddy."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated Nitish on his maiden century in international cricket. Taking to the microblogging platform X, he wrote (translated):

"Congratulations to Visakhapatnam youth K. Nitish Kumar Reddy for scoring a century in the fourth Test match of the Border Gavaskar Test Trophy 2024 against Australia in Melbourne. It is even more heartening to be the third youngest Indian cricketer to achieve this feat in Test matches. We know that he has achieved many victories for Andhra in Ranji @NKReddy07 and has also achieved amazing victories in the Under 16 level. I sincerely wish him to achieve more such victories and to be part of the Indian cricket team and strengthen the country's reputation."

Nitish was India's top performer with the bat. The visitors were bowled out for 369 in response to Australia's 474-run first innings total as the hosts secured a 105-run lead. Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece.

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"One of the greatest hundreds in the history of Indian cricket" - Sunil Gavaskar on Nitish Kumar Reddy's century in 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Nitish Kumar Reddy notched his maiden Test ton with his stunning knock against Australia in the Boxing Day Test. He walked to bat when India were in a precarious position, reeling at 191/6, and fought hard to steady the ship for his side.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was mighty impressed by the 21-year-old's batting exploits. He opined that the knock deserved to be counted as one of the greatest hundreds in Indian cricket.

The cricketer-turned-commentator was quoted as saying by TOI:

"This century by Nitish Kumar Reddy must rank as one of the greatest hundreds in the history of Indian cricket. This is the first Test hundred and he is going to score many more in the near future. I am expecting to see him among the runs in the future. He is a star of the Indian cricket."

Nitish Kumar Reddy has impressed many with his batting in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With 293 runs across six innings, he is India's leading run-getter in the series.