Nitish Kumar Reddy Shines With Maiden Test Century, Celebrates With Iconic ‘Baahubali’ And ‘Pushpa’ Poses

Nitish Kumar Reddy made a memorable entry into the cricketing world by scoring his maiden Test century during India's Boxing Day Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 28. The right-handed batter brought up his century off 171 balls, making history as the first No.8 batter to score a hundred at the MCG. With his remarkable knock, he surpassed Mitchell Johnson's previous best of 92 against Sri Lanka back in 2012.

Reddy's century was a milestone not just for the match, but for his career, and he celebrated in style. After reaching the hundred, he replicated the famous 'Baahubali' pose, made iconic by actor Prabhas in the blockbuster film. The dramatic gesture, where Reddy spread his arms wide, drew huge applause from the MCG crowd. It was a fitting tribute to a historic moment in his career, and the crowd was quick to join in the appreciation.

Earlier in the innings, Reddy celebrated his maiden Test fifty with another cinematic tribute, mimicking the iconic move from the hit film Pushpa. The 21-year-old raised his bat after reaching fifty off just 81 balls, adding a unique flair to his performance and fueling excitement among his supporters.

Reddy's journey to his first Test century was not easy. Coming in at 191 for six after the dismissal of Rishabh Pant, Reddy showed immense composure and skill. His century came with a lofted shot off Scott Boland down the ground, a stroke that was both stylish and significant in the context of the game.

At the close of Day 3, Reddy remained unbeaten on 105 off 176 balls, with 10 fours and a six. His performance helped India reach 358/9, trailing Australia by 116 runs. Reddy's knock came at a crucial time, with India looking to recover from a tough position earlier in the day.

This stellar performance comes after a series of impressive outings on India's tour of Australia. In the opening Test at Perth's Optus Stadium, Reddy contributed with scores of 41 and 38 not out, playing a role in India's dominant 295-run victory. He followed up with steady knocks of 42 in both innings during the Day-Night Test at Adelaide Oval, though he faced a rare failure in the Brisbane Test.

Reddy's rise to prominence has been swift, with his excellent form on the Australian tour following a standout season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 IPL. His 21-year-old self now stands as one of India's brightest young stars, making his mark on the biggest stage with both skill and personality.

Watch the video of Nitish Kumar Reddy's Baahubali-style celebration after his Test century, which will surely be remembered for years to come.