Andhra Cricket Association announces Rs 25 lakh cash award for Nitish Reddy

New Delhi: The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) on Saturday announced a cash award of Rs 25 lakh for young Nitish Reddy, acknowledging his maiden Test century effort, which was crucial to India's fightback in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old Reddy scored a resilient unbeaten 105 to steer India to 358 for nine on the third day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"It is a fortunate day and a happiest moment for the Andhra Cricket Association. We are very happy that a boy from Andhra has been picked for the Test format and international T20 format. As an honour, on behalf of the Andhra Cricket Association, Rs 25 lakh prize money is being given to Nitish Kumar Reddy," (ACA) President Kesineni Sivanath said.

Reddy, who has been a standout performer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showed his grit again in the fourth Test, sharing a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls).

Reddy’s remarkable innings was praised by cricketing legends with Sunil Gavaskar describing it as one of the greatest Test knocks in India's Test history.

Naidu congratulates Nitish Kumar Reddy for scoring century against Australia

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday congratulated K Nitish Kumar Reddy, an Indian cricket team member from Visakhapatnam, for scoring an unbeaten century against Australia in Melbourne.

Reddy scored his maiden century, 105 runs, on the third day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as part of the Border–Gavaskar series.

“I congratulate Visakhapatnam youngster K Nitish Kumar Reddy for hitting a century in the fourth Test match of the Border–Gavaskar Test Trophy 2024 at Melbourne in Australia,” Naidu said in a post on X.

The Chief Minister praised Reddy for his successes in the Ranji Trophy and the under-16 category for Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu further wished Reddy continued success with the Indian team.

Inputs from PTI