India’s Nitish Reddy celebrates his Century during Day 3 of the fourth Test match against Australia, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) on Saturday announced a cash award of ₹25 lakh for young Nitish Reddy, acknowledging his maiden Test century effort, which was crucial to India’s fightback in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old Reddy scored a resilient unbeaten 105 to steer India to 358 for nine on the third day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“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,” (ACA) President Kesineni Sivanath said.

Reddy, who has been a standout performer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showed his grit again in the fourth Test, sharing a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls).

Reddy’s remarkable innings was praised by cricketing legends with Sunil Gavaskar describing it as one of the greatest Test knocks in India’s Test history.