Sat Dec 28 06:33:06 UTC 2024: ## Young Cricketer Reddy Celebrates Maiden Test Half-Century with “Pushpa” Inspired Move
**Sydney, Australia** – Nitish Kumar Reddy made his mark on the Boxing Day Test, not only scoring his first Test half-century but also celebrating it with a memorable tribute to the popular Telugu film “Pushpa: The Rise.”
The 21-year-old batsman reached the milestone with a boundary off Mitchell Starc, immediately following it with a unique celebration mimicking Allu Arjun’s iconic “Pushpa Raj” pose from the movie. Veteran commentator Sunil Gavaskar, noticing the gesture, exclaimed, “O… Pushpa,” referencing the film’s famous line, “Pushpa jhukega nahi” (“Pushpa will never bow down”).
Reddy’s half-century was crucial for India, who were under pressure to avoid the follow-on after a batting collapse on Day 2 that saw the loss of key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli. His innings, alongside Washington Sundar, proved vital in stemming the tide and reducing the deficit against Australia. The performance also propelled Reddy to third place among India’s highest run-scorers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The young cricketer’s mature performance on his maiden Test tour has earned him widespread praise. His “Pushpa” celebration added a unique and memorable touch to a significant moment in his burgeoning career.
First Piper 