NEW DELHI: Team India all-rounder Nitish Reddy had a transformative moment in him cricket journey when he witnessed his father's tears due to financial difficulties. This incident motivated him to work harder and succeed in the game.
His impressive debut for India against Australia in Perth, where he scored 41 and 38 runs and took one wicket, was the culmination of his dedication and hard work.
Reddy's journey was not without sacrifice as his father quit his job to support his cricketing ambitions. Witnessing his father's emotional breakdown due to financial constraints was a turning point for Reddy, who vowed to take the game seriously and work towards success.
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“To be honest, I wasn’t serious when I was young,” he said in a BCCI video on Thursday. “My father gave up his job for me and there were many sacrifices behind my story. One day I saw him crying because of the financial problems we were facing and I thought, “You can't be like that.” …that my father has made the sacrifices and you are just playing cricket for fun.
“That’s when I got serious and started to grow. I worked hard and it paid off. As a son from a middle class family, I am so proud that my father is happy now. I gave him my first jersey and saw the happiness on his face,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Reddy's determination paid off and he was able to make his father proud by earning his first Test cap from his childhood hero. Virat Kohli.
The partnership he shared with Kohli during the second innings in Perth was a dream come true for the young all-rounder.
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Reddy acknowledged the impact of the advice he received from KL Rahulwho encouraged him to slow down the game and visualize his preparation through shadow training. This approach helped him stay focused and perform well under pressure.
A “three-dimensional” player, Reddy expressed his desire to continue contributing to the team’s success. He is particularly excited at the prospect of bowling with the pink ball and exploring its behavior in the upcoming day-night Test Adelaide Oval.
