New Delhi: In a thrilling display of grit and determination, Nitish Kumar Reddy etched his name into the history books by scoring his maiden Test century against Australia. Batting at No. 8, he became the first Indian to achieve this feat Down Under, leaving fans and critics in awe.
The spotlight on Nitishโs performance grew brighter following comments by cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar. Before the match, Manjrekar had taken to social media, questioning Nitishโs inclusion in the team. โFor better balance, should we consider dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy?โ he tweeted, igniting debates among cricket enthusiasts.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/MhCQ0ZBc7L
โ PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
However, Nitishโs bat did all the talking. Walking in when India was in trouble, he steadied the innings with a mix of defensive technique and aggressive stroke play. His century not only turned the tide in Indiaโs favor but also silenced doubters, including Manjrekar.
The post-match buzz wasnโt just about Nitishโs heroics. Puma Cricket, his sponsor, added fuel to the fire by responding to Manjrekarโs pre-match tweet. Sharing a photo of Nitish celebrating his century with a โshut upโ gesture, Pumaโs caption read: โSometimes, the best response is on the field. Take notes, Sanjay. Congrats, Nitish!โ
This cheeky retort from the sportswear giant quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media platforms. Fans applauded Puma for standing by their ambassador while calling out Manjrekarโs premature criticism.
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One fan commented, โNitish showed class on the field, and Puma showed class off it!โ Another joked, โManjrekarโs foot must be hurting after putting it in his mouth!โ
Amid the frenzy, Manjrekar refrained from directly addressing the controversy but tweeted a congratulatory note to Nitish, calling his innings โexceptional.โ
Nitishโs century is being hailed as a defining moment in his career. For many, it wasnโt just about the runs but the resilience and character he displayed under pressure. As for the social media drama, it served as a reminder that actions on the field speak louder than words off it.
With India eyeing victory and Nitish emerging as a hero, this match will be remembered for its on-field brilliance and off-field banter alike.
