[Watch] Nitish Reddy hits a lofted boundary off Scott Boland to reach maiden hundred in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India all-rounder Nitish Reddy hit one over Scott Boland's head to reach his maiden Test hundred on Day 4 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Melbourne. He put India out of choppy waters after the visiting side were reduced to 221/6 in the morning session of Day 3.

After losing Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession, Nitish joined Washington Sundar to bail the team out of danger. They added 127 runs for the eighth wicket to narrow the gap with Australia's first innings total of 474.

Nitish slowly and gradually inched closer to the three-figure mark. However, the departure of Sundar (50) and Jasprit Bumrah left him stranded at 99 at the non-striker's end. However, Mohammed Siraj negated three deliveries from Pat Cummins before the 21-year-old raced to his maiden century with a boundary.

Soon after reaching the three-figure mark, Nitiesh Reddy went down on his knees, planted his bat, and kept his helmet on top to celebrate the historic milestone.

Watch the clip here:

Bad light stopped play moments after Nitish reached the landmark. At the time of writing, India were at 358/9, still trailing by 116 runs in the first innings.

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"We cannot forget this day in our life" - Nitish Reddy's father on his son's ton

Nitish Reddy's father Mutyala was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to witness history. He looked tensed and kept praying as his son closed in on his debut Test century. Mutyala was in tears after the Indian all-rounder reached the landmark with a boundary.

After bad light stopped play, former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist caught Nitish's father, who was short of words, and said it was a proud moment for the family.

"For our family, it's a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life," Mutyala told the host broadcaster via Cricbuzz. "He has been performing well since the age group of 14-15 and now in international cricket, it's a very special feeling."

On being asked about his emotions when Nitish Reddy was on 99, with one wicket remaining, he said:

"I was very tensed. Only the last wicket was remaining. Thankfully Siraj managed to survive."