India’s emphatic victory over Australia in the Perth Test was marked by standout performances from debutants Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. Both players seized the opportunity to shine on the international stage, contributing significantly to India’s dominant 295-run victory in this first Test of the 5-match series. Their performances showcased their potential and highlighted India's depth of talent.
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| Image Credits: Sportskeeda |
The performances of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were not just flashes of brilliance; they signaled the arrival of two promising stars in Indian cricket. Their ability to rise to the occasion in challenging conditions was lauded by the cricketing fraternity.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: A Dream All-Round Debut
The young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy had a debut to remember. Displaying maturity beyond his years, Reddy played a pivotal role with both bat and ball in the match, given the opportunity he was given.
Batting Heroics
Coming in at a tricky position on Day 1, Reddy stabilized the Indian innings with a counter-attacking 41 off 59 balls and his crucial partnership of 48 runs with Rishabh Pant helped India get to 150 runs.
And his unbeaten 77*-run partnership off just 54 balls with Virat Kohli in the second innings ensured India reached a commanding 487/6 before declaring with ample overs left in the play before stumps on Day 3. Nitish contributed an unbeaten 38* runs off 27 balls in this innings. His calm and composed approach under pressure earned praise from teammates and fans alike.
Bowling Contribution
Reddy could only bowl 3 overs in the first innings in which he conceded just 4 runs. And he made an immediate impact in the second innings. His medium pace exploited the lively Perth pitch on Day 4, where he picked up the wicket of high-flying Mitchell Marsh.
Harshit Rana: The Fiery Fast Bowler
Harshit Rana announced his arrival on the Test scene with a fiery display of pace and precision. The tall fast bowler proved to be the perfect partner to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, consistently troubling the Australian batters.
First Innings Destruction
Rana’s opening spell in the first innings was nothing short of sensational. Clocking speeds of around 140 km/h, he dismantled Australia’s top order, finishing with impressive figures of 3/48 in 15.2 overs. His ability to extract bounce and seam movement left the Australian batters guessing. He cleaned up Travis Head for his maiden Test wicket and this would be a moment to cherish for the young Indian bowler.
Second Innings Magic
Rana continued his dominance in the second innings, breaking crucial partnerships and keeping the pressure on. His figures of 1/69 in 13.4 overs were instrumental in restricting Australia to 238, ensuring a smooth path to victory for India. Incidentally, Harshit Rana picked up Australia's last wicket to fall in both innings - Mitchell Starc in the first innings, and Alex Carey in the second innings!
Looking Ahead
With such a remarkable debut, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana have undoubtedly cemented their spots in the squad for the upcoming matches. Their performances add a fresh dynamic to an already formidable Indian side, setting the stage for a bright future.
India’s bench strength continues to impress, and the contributions of these two debutants in Perth underscore the team’s preparedness for challenges in any conditions, particularly Australia on this tour.
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