Chapter 86
The Melbourne Cricket Stadium was brimming with anticipation as the much-awaited Test match between India and Australia got underway. Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, won the toss and chose to bat first on what seemed to be a batting-friendly pitch. However, India's opening batsmen faced a tough challenge against the formidable Australian bowling attack led by Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon.
As the match began, India's openers, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, stepped onto the field with the hope of giving their team a solid start. However, their intentions were thwarted as Nathan Lyon struck early, dismissing both Rahul and Dhawan in quick succession. The Melbourne crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the early breakthrough for Australia.
The pressure on India mounted when their batting maestro, Virat Kohli, walked in to bat. The Australian bowlers, led by the fiery Mitchell Johnson, decided to test Kohli's temperament and resilience. Johnson unleashed a barrage of aggressive bouncers and provocative words, attempting to unsettle the Indian captain.
However, the master batsman had a rare failure this time as he fell victim to a brilliant delivery from Johnson and was caught behind for a duck. The entire stadium fell into a stunned silence as the Indian captain's wicket was celebrated by the Australian team.
The Australians capitalized on this early success and began sledging the Indian players, attempting to provoke and demoralize them. They hurled verbal taunts, aiming to create an intimidating atmosphere on the field.
As the Indian batsmen tried to regain their composure, Nitish Reddy, the young prodigy, took the crease. The Australians, particularly Brad Haddin, attempted to belittle Nitish, mocking his achievements and suggesting that his success was insignificant compared to Australian bowlers.
"You should just stick to playing U19 cricket," taunted Haddin. "Getting a couple of centuries in your first three matches doesn't make you better than our bowlers."
Nitish, known for his calm and composed demeanor, refused to be affected by the sledging. Instead, he focused on his game and responded with the bat. He showcased his class, displaying a wide array of strokes and determination in the face of the aggressive Australian attack.
As the Indian innings progressed, Nitish formed crucial partnerships with the middle-order batsmen, steadying the ship after the early collapse. He showed immense maturity beyond his years, playing with patience and selecting his shots wisely.
The Australian bowlers, particularly Lyon, tried to get under Nitish's skin. An lbw appeal against Nitish was turned down by the umpire, and Haddin was quick to seize the opportunity to provoke the young batsman further.
"You were lucky there, mate!" jeered Haddin. "You better thank the umpire for saving you."
Nitish, unfazed by the sledging, simply nodded and continued to focus on his game. He knew that the best response to sledging was through his performance on the field.
As the session progressed, Nitish reached his well-deserved half-century, earning the respect of the Melbourne crowd and silencing the Australian sledging to a certain extent. However, he didn't let the milestone distract him from the task at hand.
As the first day of the Test match neared its conclusion, Nitish Reddy decided to respond to Mitchell Johnson's sledging in the best way he knew - with his bat. Determined to silence the taunts and prove his mettle as a cricketer, Nitish took on the challenge of facing Johnson's fiery pace head-on.
As Johnson charged in to bowl, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, eager to witness this intriguing battle between the young Indian batsman and the experienced Australian speedster.
With sheer determination in his eyes, Nitish stood tall and played with controlled aggression. He picked his moments carefully, waiting for the right opportunities to counterattack. The moment finally arrived when Johnson bowled a short-pitched delivery. Nitish, who had been criticized for his inexperience, responded with a powerful pull shot, sending the ball soaring over the ropes for a massive six.
The Melbourne Cricket Stadium erupted with cheers and applause as Nitish's response to Johnson's sledging was met with a resounding statement. He had shown that he was not to be underestimated, even by a seasoned bowler like Johnson.
But Nitish was not done yet. A few overs later, Johnson tried to intimidate him with another short delivery. This time, Nitish stepped out of his crease and unleashed a magnificent lofted shot over mid-wicket, resulting in another powerful six.
The young Indian batsman had stunned the Australian team and the crowd with his display of fearlessness and aggression. Johnson, who had attempted to provoke Nitish, was now facing the consequences of underestimating the young talent.
However, as fate would have it, Nitish's courageous innings came to an end shortly after reaching his milestone. A moment of misjudgment saw him mistiming a shot off Johnson's bowling, and he was caught in the deep. As Nitish made his way back to the pavilion, Johnson couldn't resist a gesture of his own, pointing towards the dressing room in a "walk back" gesture.
The sledging might have got under Nitish's skin momentarily, but his response with the bat had proved that he was no infant cricketer. He had shown maturity and the ability to handle pressure on the biggest stage.
As Nitish made his way back to the dressing room, the Melbourne crowd acknowledged his impressive knock with a round of applause. The young prodigy had made his mark, and his innings had left a lasting impact on the match.
Despite the loss of Nitish's wicket, India's fighting spirit remained intact. The lower-order batsmen continued to battle, adding valuable runs to take India's total to 190. It was a modest score.
As the day progressed and the Australian innings began, the Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, looked to capitalize on their momentum and put further pressure on the hosts. Nitish Reddy, who had been the center of attention earlier in the day due to the sledging, now found himself in the spotlight once again as he was handed the ball to bowl.
With just 15 years of age, Nitish was indeed a young and relatively inexperienced bowler. The Australian batsmen saw this as an opportunity to get under his skin and provoke him, hoping to exploit any signs of nerves or vulnerability.
As Nitish prepared to bowl his first over, the Australian batsmen started their sledging tactics. They attempted to unsettle the young bowler with a barrage of verbal taunts and remarks about his age and inexperience.
"You're just a kid! What are you doing playing against us?" said one of the Australian batsmen with a smirk.
"Don't think you can scare us with your baby face!" added another, trying to rile up Nitish.
Virat Kohli, standing at mid-off, observed the sledging tactics being employed against the young bowler. As the Indian captain and one of the most experienced players in the team, Kohli understood the significance of the moment. He knew that the sledging could potentially impact Nitish's confidence and performance.
With a sense of responsibility and leadership, Kohli decided to intervene. He walked up to Nitish and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to stay focused and not let the sledging affect him.
"Keep your head high, Nitish. They are trying to distract you, but don't fall for it. You have the talent and the skill to trouble them with your bowling. Just stick to your plans," Kohli said in a calm but assertive tone.
Nitish nodded, feeling a sense of comfort from his captain's words. He knew that he had the backing of his skipper and the entire team, which bolstered his confidence. With renewed determination, Nitish took his position at the top of his run-up and prepared to bowl.
As the overs went by, Nitish displayed impressive composure and clever bowling tactics. He mixed up his pace and line, using variations to keep the batsmen guessing. The sledging from the Australian players continued, but Nitish remained unfazed, focusing solely on executing his plans.
In the meantime, Ravichandran Ashwin, the experienced off-spinner, was bowling from the other end. Ashwin, too, faced some sledging from the Australian batsmen, who tried to unnerve him with taunts about his previous performances.
"You can't spin the ball on these pitches, mate! Your tricks won't work against us," said one of the Australian batsmen, trying to get into Ashwin's head.
However, Ashwin responded with a smile, not allowing the sledging to affect his demeanor. He continued to bowl with guile and craft, deceiving the batsmen with his flight and turn.
With the partnership of Nitish and Ashwin, the Indian team cleverly managed the sledging and provocation from the Australian players. The bowlers focused on their plans, and the experienced Virat Kohli ensured that the young Nitish was shielded from any unnecessary distractions.
At the end of the day's play, the Australian team found themselves in a spot of bother at 80/4, thanks to the brilliant performances of Nitish, who had taken two crucial wickets, and Ashwin, who had also claimed two scalps.
The sledging tactics employed by the Australian players had not succeeded in breaking the Indian team's resolve. Instead, it had spurred them to rise to the challenge and perform with determination and maturity.
As the players left the field, the Indian team knew that they had made a significant impact on the first day of the Test match. With the Australians reeling and the match delicately poised, the stage was set for another thrilling day of cricket.
The sledging and mind games had added an extra layer of intensity to the contest, making it an enthralling battle between two competitive teams. Nitish, with the backing of his captain and the support of his teammates, had shown that he was more than capable of handling the pressure and performing at the highest level.
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