Fri Nov 22 18:13:44 UTC 2024: ## Indian Debutant Reddy Impresses on Day 1 of Perth Test
**Perth, Australia –** Indian debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy made a memorable start to his Test career on Friday, scoring a composed 41 in a dramatic first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Seventeen wickets fell at the Optus Stadium as both teams struggled on a lively pitch.
Reddy, who received his national cap from his idol Virat Kohli, batted at number eight and showed resilience against Australian captain Pat Cummins, his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate in the IPL. He attributed his success to a partnership with Rishabh Pant and a focus on quick runs. He also praised the disciplined bowling performance of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana, fellow debutant and dinner companion the night before the match.
The young all-rounder revealed a motivational conversation with coach Gautam Gambhir, who encouraged him to embrace the challenges of playing in Perth, likening it to “taking a bullet for your country.” While acknowledging a strong start, Reddy remained grounded, describing his innings as “good, but not a dream innings.” He expressed a determination to continue his strong performance throughout the series.
First Piper 