NEW DELHI: Team India all-rounder Nitish Reddy had a transformative moment in his cricket journey when he witnessed his father's tears due to financial struggles. This incident motivated him to work harder and achieve success in the game.
His impressive debut for India against Australia at Perth, where he scored 41 and 38 runs and claimed a wicket, was a culmination of his dedication and hard work.
Reddy's journey was not without sacrifices, as his father left his job to support his cricketing aspirations. 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 achieving success.
"To be honest, I was not serious when I was young," he said in a video by the BCCI on Thursday. "My father left his job for me and there has been a lot of sacrifice behind my story. One day, I saw him crying because of the financial problems we were facing, and I was like, this is not how you can be... that my father made the sacrifices and you play cricket just for fun.
"At that time, I became serious and I got the growth. 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 my first jersey to him and saw the happiness in his face," he added.
Despite facing challenges, Reddy's determination paid off, and he was able to make his father proud by earning his maiden Test cap from his childhood hero, Virat Kohli.
The partnership he shared with Kohli during the second innings at Perth was a dream come true for the young all-rounder.
Reddy acknowledged the impact of the advice he received from KL Rahul, who encouraged him to slow down the game and visualize his preparation through shadow practice. This approach helped him stay focused and perform well under pressure.
As a "three-dimensional" player, Reddy expressed his eagerness to contribute further to the team's success. He is particularly excited about the prospect of bowling with the pink ball and exploring its behaviour in the upcoming day-night Test at Adelaide Oval.
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